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In this episode of Non-Partisan Hacks: Pulse Edition, hosts Sean Wood and Joel Grenz sit down with Donna Hais, Chair of the Fair Care Alliance, to discuss the critical healthcare crisis facing Central Vancouver Island. Recording from across the street from Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, Donna reveals 430,000 people south of the Malahat have access to over 800 tertiary care beds across two hospitals, while nearly 500,000 residents north of the Malahat share just 354 tertiary beds at NRGH.

In a groundbreaking move, the Regional District of Nanaimo recently passed a motion to allocate $50 million in community funds toward building this critical infrastructure, demonstrating unprecedented local leadership in addressing the Nanaimo hospital healthcare gap.

Fair Care Alliance is taking the fight beyond provincial borders, having hired federal lobbyists to secure funding from Ottawa. This episode is a rallying cry for equitable healthcare access and community-driven solutions that affect Vancouver Island residents from Parksville to Campbell River and beyond.

Episode Highlights:

· The stark healthcare inequity facing Central Vancouver Island residents and why it matters

· Why 500,000 islanders lack fair access to tertiary care services

· How the Regional District of Nanaimo's $50 million commitment changes everything

· Fair Care Alliance's federal lobbying strategy and the historic opportunity with Ottawa

· The meaningful reconciliation conversation around former Indian Hospital lands

· Why local government is leading where provincial government has stalled

· What residents can do right now to support healthcare advocacy efforts

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