'We feel the urgency': B.C. housing minister addresses Riverview re-development delays
British Columbia’s housing minister called the lands around the shuttered Riverview Hospital a “huge opportunity” as he offered a slightly different explanation about the delay in planning the redevelopment of the site.
BC Housing claimed that they had paused a master planning process for the site, which was renamed Sumiqwuelu in 2021, to develop their relationship with the Kwikwetlem First Nation after inking a partnership agreement; they insisted there was no timeline for the resumption of planning.
But Ravi Kahlon, who oversees BC Housing as minister, said that an election among the Kwikwetlem “was one of the main reasons” for the pause and the “hope” was the talks could resume shortly after the First Nation votes on March 30.
“My hope always is that we can find a resolution and a good way forward as soon as possible,” said Kahlon in a one-on-one interview with CTV News. “We feel the urgency, certainly in government, across all the pressures we’re facing, but we know that this process takes time.”
Patience is beginning to wear thin, however. The governing New Democrats came under attack by the Liberals in question period during the morning session of the legislature Thursday, with allegations of “Riverview is stalled, BC Housing is a complete disaster,” echoing many public comments on the unannounced pause in planning.
Kahlon shot back that the Liberals oversaw the final closure of the Riverview Hospital, without ensuring adequate supports were in place for the psychiatric patients who left the facility.
Both parties were involved with the closure of Riverview Hospital over the course of decades as treatment methods and options changed, however, and neither provided enough housing, supervision, or other supports—according to experts and those familiar with the details.
Coquitlam’s mayor, who advocated against closure of the hospital and has been urging for the re-opening of the best-preserved building that provided psychiatric care, is calling for some sort of action in the face of soaring demand for treatment of addiction and mental illness.
“Quite often it feels like Groundhog Day here at Riverview, at Sumiqwuelu, because so many people agree there is a future for this site in delivery of excellent mental health services,” said Mayor Richard Stewart. “How do we get there? Let’s just get there.”
Kahlon quashed the idea of using any of the shuttered buildings in the interim, insisting it would be tremendously expensive to retrofit them so that they’re suitable for occupancy, arguing the focus should be on long-term solutions to the housing crisis.
When it comes to his vision for Sumiqwuelu, he wouldn’t provide any specifics.
“I think there’s a real opportunity to move forward in a good way, but it’s a conversation we need to have with our partners in good faith,” said Kahlon. “We can’t be going in there and saying ‘This is what we want,’ otherwise those conversations juts won’t go the way that anyone wants.”
While the Kwikwetlem First Nation has claimed the land as theirs and said they want to “come home,” they were also non-specific about their goals, but expressed confidence in the process as they noted a positive working relationship with the province. https://bc.ctvnews.ca/it-s-ours-kwikwetlem-first-nation-on-future-of-riverview-hospital-site-1.6336821
“We’ve agreed on a process, we’ve agreed on a journey and we’re going to work hard to get there,” said George Chaffee, a councillor and knowledge keeper. “It’s going to take time. Nothing happens overnight.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.