MP Gord Johns is calling for major changes to health care in Port Alberni, British Columbia, to reduce the practice of sending local patients to other cities for treatment. The push comes after staff shortages at West Coast General Hospital forced several service pauses in recent years, at times meaning the hospital lacked hospitalist coverage to admit patients who do not have a family doctor.
Island Health has acknowledged WCGH struggled to find enough hospitalists to care for patients without a family physician, which contributed to temporary diversions of some patients to Nanaimo or Victoria. Those transfers often require travel along Highway 4 — the high‑elevation stretch known locally as the “Hump” — a route that can be closed by severe weather or collisions. (Island Health announced hospitalist services resumed at WCGH on December 24, 2025; ICU diversion for critical‑care admissions was noted as continuing.)
The Nuu‑chah‑nulth Tribal Council declared a state of emergency over the overdose and mental‑health crisis (the declaration was made in September 2024), citing a lack of local detox beds and gaps in culturally safe addictions and mental‑health services. Leaders say those service gaps force people to travel hours away from family and supports when seeking treatment.
To address these issues, Johns has proposed developing Port Alberni as a regional West Coast health centre, and has suggested the Somass Lands as a potential site. The Somass Lands — a 43‑acre waterfront property that was the former Somass Division sawmill — is already the subject of an ongoing redevelopment process; the City of Port Alberni selected Matthews West Developments Ltd. as the site’s development partner in December 2023.
Johns has discussed the proposal with community stakeholders, including First Nations leaders, municipal officials and the Somass Lands developer, about how to balance heritage preservation with new uses for the site. He and other local leaders say the project represents a rare opportunity to diversify the local economy beyond forestry while creating a regional hub for specialized medical, mental‑health and addictions services.
