Scott McInnis, MLA for Columbia River-Revelstoke rose during Question Period on February 24 in the Legislature and asked the Minister of Health Josie Osborne why healthcare workers in Kimberley and Cranbrook do not receive the Provincial Rural Retention Incentive (PRRI).
The PRRI provides up to $8000/year in extra pay for healthcare professionals living and working in rural communities.
“We are a 7-hour drive from Kelowna, and a daunting 12-hour trip from Vancouver,” McInnis said. “Why are our healthcare workers being denied this important financial incentive?”
McInnis has been advocating for local employees to receive this additional wage for nearly a year. “I’ve been championing vigorously for this since I became a candidate. It’s wrong that those working here don’t receive the PRRI.”
McInnis presented a petition with over 500 signatures on behalf of the East Kootenay B.C. Nurses Union and local citizens supporting the PRRI.
The Minister’s response provided no timeline for additional recipients of the PRRI, and did not commit that local healthcare workers would receive it.
“This is extremely frustrating. While the government continues to evaluate the PRRI, the East Kootenay continues to struggle to retain important healthcare professionals.”
McInnis is committed to continuing to press the Minister of Health on this issue. “Until the PRRI is granted to our local healthcare professionals, I will be a thorn in the side of Minister Osborne.”
