B.C. Conservatives promise new Children’s Hospital in Surrey as election race enters final week

With the B.C. election campaign entering its final week, Conservative Leader John Rustad is doubling down on promises aimed at winning over voters in Surrey, including a pledge to build a new Children’s Hospital complete with an emergency ward, ICU, and maternity unit.

Rustad made the announcement over the long weekend as part of a series of high-profile commitments, including his proposed “Rustad rebate” that would exempt up to $3,000 a month in rent or mortgage payments from provincial taxes and a plan to scrap the carbon tax entirely. He also vowed to eliminate the province’s nearly $9-billion deficit within two government terms.

The promise of a second Children’s Hospital in Surrey quickly drew a response from Health Minister Adrian Dix, who called it a “hastily made-up announcement”, pointing out that construction of a new Surrey hospital is already underway and includes expanded maternity and pediatric services.

The New Democrats have argued that Rustad’s fiscal plan is unrealistic, noting that their own platform would reduce provincial revenues by $1.5 billion while projecting a budget deficit of $9.6 billion next year.

Surrey — home to one of the fastest-growing and most diverse populations in Canada - remains a key battleground in the Oct. 19 election, with all 10 ridings being hotly contested among the NDP, Conservatives, and Greens. Health care, h