Richmond North Centre MLA Teresa Wat said she was “so disappointed” not to see a specific dollar amount for the redevelopment of the Richmond Hospital in Tuesday’s provincial budget.
While there was mention of the hospital, saying it’s “advanced to the business case review stage,” there were no other details about the project.
Wat said when she was in government in 2013-2017, she pushed for a concept plan for a new acute care tower, and she was happy that the NDP “put politics aside” and continued with the project.
But after an announcement by the premier last July, she was expecting details to be announced with this budget.
During the fall election, Kelly Greene, who won the Richmond-Steveston seat for the NDP, said there would be “shovels in the ground in 2021.”
Greene didn’t return a media request for information about the hospital by the News’ deadline.
The project includes a new acute care tower, new emergency department, space for diagnostics and mental-health care.
The premier came to Richmond in July to announce the project was expanding but didn’t give a timeline or budget, saying that would be in the September budget. However, an election was called for October and the budget was just released this week.
