To attract more doctors, Grand Forks commits to cover medical clinic costs

The city of Grand Forks in B.C.’s West Kootenay region has launched a one-year pilot program that uses local tax dollars to help recruit and retain doctors, a role typically handled by the provincial health system.

The city has set aside $125,000 to help cover fixed operating costs at the local medical clinic, including rent, utilities and licensing fees.

Grand Forks’ move comes as many communities in British Columbia struggle to ensure residents have access to routine primary care. Despite provincial efforts to connect patients to family doctors, access remains lacking, particularly in rural and small communities, putting pressure on local governments to find solutions.

“The onus should not be placed on municipalities to do this,” Mayor Everett said. Baker said. “But unfortunately, the situation we’re in today requires it.”

Local response to provincial challenge

Grand Forks, a community of about 4,100 people, has seen many doctors leave in recent years. City officials say the clinic was at risk of being staffed by too few physicians, some of whom are near retirement.

The pilot program was developed in collaboration with local doctors and aims to reduce the financial risk associated with running a medical practice in a rural area. When the number of physicians declines, the remaining doctors have to bear a larger share of the clinic’s fixed costs, making the practice less attractive to newcomers.

Mark Szynkaruk, a family physician who worked with the city to implement the program, said fixed costs don’t change depending on how many doctors are working in the building.

“Whether there is one physician working in the building or ten, rent, insurance and utilities still have to be paid,” he said.

Szynkaruk said that reality can make it difficult to attract new doctors, especially those early in their careers who may be carrying student loans and are wary of taking on additional financial risk.

And inaction will result in people losing access to care, he said.

“Patients suffering, morbidity and mortality are a direct result of poor access to primary care or no access at all,” adding that poor or absent access to primary care can contribute to poor health outcomes and increase pressure on emergency services.

Widespread access issues persist

The challenges facing Grand Forks reflect a broader issue throughout British Columbia.

Coalwood, a large municipality within the Greater Victoria region, has begun Paying some doctors as municipal employees Trying to solve the problem.

A 2025 resolution from the Association of British Columbia Municipalities warns that rural and remote communities face chronic difficulties in recruiting and retaining primary care physicians, leading to staffing shortages, excessive workloads and frequent emergency room turnovers.

The motion calls on the provincial government to re-evaluate recent changes to physician recruitment and payment programs, arguing that they have increased the shortage in small communities.

Early signs of progress

Grand Forks city officials say a new physician, Dr. Gary Sandhar, has already joined the Grand Forks Medical Clinic and has begun taking patients from a doctor who recently left the community. The two additional physicians are expected to decide later this year whether they will relocate to Grand Forks.

If the clinic returns to full staff, the city says it could provide assistance to 7,500 patients, covering Grand Forks and surrounding areas.

Baker said the pilot program will be reviewed after a year to determine whether it should be continued or adjusted.

“So my goal as mayor is that if you are a resident of Grand Forks, you will have a family doctor,” he said.