'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
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.