BC NDP candidate pledges to deliver MRI machine to Chilliwack Hospital if her party is re-elected

CHILLIWACK – Chilliwack-Cultus Lake NDP candidate Kelli Paddon pledged to deliver an MRI machine to Chilliwack General Hospital if her party is re-elected this weekend, saying an MRI in Chilliwack would provide faster access to vital diagnostic imaging closer to home.

In a statement following an event that was held at Sardis Park Wednesday afternoon, Paddon said people in Chilliwack shouldn’t have to travel elsewhere in the Fraser Valley to access critical healthcare.

“People in Chilliwack deserve access to care in their own community and no one should have to travel elsewhere to get the care they need. Improving local healthcare is a collaborative effort requiring strong local partnerships and a solid voice advocating at the government table. I’m happy to be part of the BC NDP team that will help deliver this important service to our community,” Paddon said.

In a statement from the BC NDP, Paddon said a new MRI in Chilliwack will result in improved outcomes for patients experiencing strokes, trauma, and other urgent medical conditions.

The BC NDP says it has has a fully costed plan to deliver a new MRI for Chilliwack which, paired with the local community’s already-raised funds, more than meets the financial requirements of this project.

This announcement aligns with David Eby’s plan to expand diagnostic capacity across the province with eight new MRI machines and 10 CT scanners, helping people in rural, remote and growing communities access critical scans sooner.

Since first elected, the BC NDP says it has added over 1,800 specialists, along with 21 MRI units and 15 CT scanners across the province. Completed MRI exams are up 108%, and CT exams are up 61 per cent. B.C. hospitals completed a record 382,000 surgeries last year.

The NDP claims the B.C. Conservatives would aggressively cut the deficit with deep spending reductions to health care. In contrast, the BC NDP says they are committed to investing in communities across the province, including historically overlooked rural communities, like Chilliwack.

“Chilliwack is one of B.C.’s fastest-growing communities, and our healthcare infrastructure needs to keep pace. Residents deserve timely access to MRI services close to home,” Lum said. “As Mayor, I’m committed to working with Fraser Health and the Province to get shovels in the ground within the next 12 months and turn this long-awaited investment into reality.

Mayor Ken Popove said, “An MRI at Chilliwack General Hospital has been a priority for our community for many years. This investment will make a real difference for patients and families, improving access to essential diagnostic services closer to home. It’s an important step forward for healthcare in Chilliwack and the entire eastern Fraser Valley.”