11.52°C Vancouver

Jan 9, 2020 2:28 AM -

More health-care specialists, better care for British Columbians

Share On
more-health-care-specialists-better-care-for-british-columbians
Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training Melanie Mark at BCIT, Burnaby/ Jawad Siddiqui

New investments in the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) for sonography and cardiovascular perfusion programs will mean more graduates and better health care for people in British Columbia.

Students, health-care workers and patients have been calling on government to increase sonography training across the province for years, and we are answering that call with new and expanded programs in Northern B.C., Vancouver Island and now the Lower Mainland.

Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training, said investing in BCIT so more students can train for dynamic and rewarding health-care careers and deliver the high-quality care British Columbians rely upon.

Government is investing a total of $2.5 million. Funding of $880,000 will support the expansion of BCIT diagnostic medical sonography and cardiovascular perfusion programs.

Capital funding of $1.6 million will allow purchase of the necessary sonography equipment.

Eight first-year seats were added to the existing 32 sonography seats in September 2019. Another eight first-year seats will be added in 2020 for a total of 48 first-year seats.


Latest news

canadas-2025-population-revised-to-show-growth-not-decline
CanadaSep 29, 2026

Canada’s 2025 Population Revised to Show Growth, Not Decline

Statistics Canada has revised its earlier estimate of Canada’s population, saying the country’s population increased by 280,810 people in 2025. Earlier this year, the agency’s preliminary figures suggested that Canada had recorded its first annual population decline. Statistics Canada later clarified that the initial figures were provisional and were based on incomplete data related to work and study permit extensions. After a second review and the inclusion of updated administrative data, the revised figures now show population growth in 2025. However, Canada’s population growth has s
former-surrey-police-chief-norm-lipinski-seeks-judicial-review-of-dismissal
BCSep 29, 2026

Former Surrey Police Chief Norm Lipinski Seeks Judicial Review of Dismissal

Former Surrey Police Chief Norm Lipinski has filed a petition in B.C. Supreme Court seeking a judicial review of his removal from office, alleging that political interference by Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke played a key role in the decision. In the petition filed Monday, Lipinski said he was given no notice or opportunity to respond before being dismissed. He alleges the decision was not based on his qualifications or performance, but was politically motivated. Lipinski specifically accused Mayor Brenda Locke of opposing the transition from the RCMP to the Surrey Police Service and of making repe
u-s-import-ban-on-canadian-alcohol-dairy-products-and-motorcycles-takes-effect
CanadaSep 29, 2026

U.S. Import Ban on Canadian Alcohol, Dairy Products and Motorcycles Takes Effect

A U.S. import ban on Canadian beer, wine, whisky, some dairy products and motorcycles took effect Tuesday. The measures are not expected to have a major impact on Canada’s overall economy. U.S. President Donald Trump said Canada could contact Washington within the next three to four weeks to negotiate a trade deal. Speaking to reporters at the White House hours before the restrictions took effect, Trump claimed Canadian officials would come to the negotiating table and express regret over what he described as Canada’s long-standing unfair treatment of the United States. Trump also repeated
nijjar-murder-case-fbi-announces-reward-for-goldy-brars-arrest
CanadaSep 28, 2026

Nijjar Murder Case: FBI Announces Reward for Goldy Brar’s Arrest

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have announced a reward for information leading to the arrest of Satinderjit Singh, alias Goldy Brar, who is wanted in connection with the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The announcement was made Monday during a press conference in Los Angeles by FBI Assistant Director Patrick Grady and RCMP Assistant Commissioner Lisa Moreland. Authorities said Brar has been linked to serious offences including murder, extortion and drug trafficking. Brar was also charged in a U.S. court in July in connection with al
eby-targets-trumps-trade-war-pledges-to-double-b-c-critical-mineral-exports
BCSep 28, 2026

Eby Targets Trump’s Trade War, Pledges to Double B.C. Critical Mineral Exports

B.C. NDP Leader David Eby targeted U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war during an election campaign stop in Prince Rupert on Monday, pledging to double the province’s critical mineral exports over the next five years if his government is re-elected. Eby said B.C.’s response to the trade war is to sell its natural resources to more markets around the world, creating jobs and supporting the provincial economy. He also criticized the B.C. Conservatives, claiming they could cancel projects covered by agreements his government has reached with the federal government if they come to power.

Related News