First Nations canceling medical trip to Vancouver due to FIFA World Cup hotel costs
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Indigenous health-care providers in northwest B.C. say they are unable to book medical appointments for patients in Vancouver during this summer’s FIFA World Cup event due to the high costs of hotel rooms and travel.
The Nisga’a Valley Health Authority has sent out a notice informing patients that it is implementing a blackout for non-emergency patient visit bookings in the Lower Mainland between June 10 and July 20.
BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver is ready host seven games between June 11 and July 19, as part of the continent-wide competition, and the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) Amphitheater will take place Host a Fan Fest For the duration of the event.
“We’ve been watching hotel room prices change in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland for the last two years since the announcement was made, and it’s had a huge impact on us,” said Melanie Doolan, health benefits director for the Nisga’a Valley Health Authority.
“Now with the tournament dates approaching, we know there will be very high demand for rooms and very low supply, meaning we will have to pay top dollar even if we acquire any rooms that become available during that time.”
A 2025 report by Deloitte, commissioned by Airbnb, estimates that total accommodation capacity in hotels and short-term rentals during the FIFA World Cup will be approximately 41,800 for Metro Vancouver and 22,700 for the City of Vancouver.
It said there would be a shortage of about “70,000 nights” and not all visitors would be able to find a place to stay during the Games.
The then-Minister of Tourism, Spencer Chandra Herbert, said in June 2025 that approximately 350,000 people were expected to visit Vancouver during the World Cup.
Vancouver is set to host seven soccer games when the 2026 FIFA World Cup comes to town. Our Laurence Watt weighs in on whether Vancouver is ready to accommodate visitors for the event.
planning for emergencies
BC’s Ministry of Health directed an inquiry about the impact of the World Cup on health services for First Nations to the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), which supports more than 200 First Nations across BC.
In a statement, the FNHA said it was advising communities to avoid non-urgent medical appointments during the World Cup “as Vancouver will experience extraordinary pressure on transportation and housing during this period.”
Doolan says in terms of patient visits, they’re tied to budgetary relaxationsBound to take action and provide coverage in the most economical manner.
She says that in addition to newly diagnosed patients, they regularly book accommodations for patients who need to see specialists in the Lower Mainland for routine oncology, rheumatology, nephrology or cardiology appointments.
“Sometimes every six months, sometimes every three months. We even have a client who had to travel every month to receive treatment that had to be administered at St. Paul’s Hospital because it could not be delivered to any hospital in the North.”
Doolan says that by providing advance notice, he hopes patients will not be adversely affected and can schedule specialist appointments around the blackout period.
“When there is an emergency, it is a different story,” she said. “We cannot make reservations for emergency clients very far in advance, so by limiting our non-emergency travel, we are hoping that along with the rest of Indigenous health care providers like First Nations authorities, we will be able to have access to all hotel rooms when our emergency clients need them.”
Skidgate Health Center on Haida Gwaii posted a similar notice informing patients that they were unable to approve or provide funding for travel to the Vancouver area for the months of June and July and asked patients to reschedule specialist appointments.
Doolan says he’s noticed that housing prices have increased since restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic have been lifted and concerts have resumed.
“Hosting expenses have increased incredibly in the Lower Mainland over the last three years and every year our organization has had to reorganize priorities and be very strict with our criteria for medical travel and that is not enough to rein in expenses,” he said.
“This move is not something we are really comfortable with doing, but we feel it is the best option.”
