British Columbia Provincial Election 2026

Dear Lindsay,

Thank you for reaching out and sharing the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network’s comprehensive policy priorities ahead of the British Columbia provincial election.

If elected as MLA for Burnaby South-Metrotown, I will approach these critical healthcare mandates through a strict framework of logistics, engineering, and data-driven asset management rather than partisan ideology. My commitments to your specific inquiries are detailed below:

1. Indigenous, Rural, and Remote Access Barriers
True health equity requires dismantling the vast geographic bottlenecks that leave remote and First Nations communities structurally underserved. I am fully committed to expanding localized diagnostic capabilities and securing sustainable, annualized public funding for trusted medical travel partnerships like Hope Air. We must ensure that a patient’s postal code never dictates their cancer prognosis.

2. Ethical Artificial Intelligence and Culturally Safe Care
Utilizing machine learning and advanced data optimization to accelerate early cancer detection is an operational necessity. I fully commit to upholding the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Policy Framework to ensure these tools are deployed ethically, transparently, and with rigorous bias testing. We must actively audit healthcare algorithms alongside Indigenous health practitioners to guarantee cultural safety and prevent structural inequities from being coded into our diagnostic systems.

3. Correcting Specialist Wait Times and Eliminating Bureaucratic Waste
Our provincial healthcare system is currently paralyzed by administrative bloat within our regional health authorities, where excessive management budgets actively starve our clinical front lines. I am fully committed to cutting this redundant bureaucratic waste. Shifting those public funds directly into frontline oncology infrastructure will allow us to hire more specialized clinicians, maximize operating room hours, and drastically reduce the time patients spend waiting for their initial consultation with an oncologist.

4. Equitable Screening for Category C and D Breast Density

I provide an unconditional yes to this requirement. Forcing women with dense breast tissue to rely solely on standard mammograms when radiologists openly acknowledge the white-on-white masking effect is completely irresponsible. I will fight to ensure that ultrasound and advanced supplemental screening are universally accessible and publicly funded across all regions of British Columbia.

My dedication to resolving these systemic health bottlenecks is deeply personal. Having navigated complex, high-stakes childhood health and disability networks as a father, I know firsthand the sheer exhaustion families experience when fighting a cold institutional bureaucracy. I share our personal family journey openly in my campaign launch video here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DeVvo35tC5Y/?obrf=MXJoNmZhajZ5d2pobw==

We must stop overspending on government paperwork and start investing heavily in the frontline technologies and diagnostic care that save lives. True compassion is achieved when our provincial health systems are fiscally accountable, transparent, and optimized to deliver measurable results for every individual.

I appreciate your network’s tireless advocacy and your rigorous, evidence-based leadership. Thank you once again for your outreach.

Dear Lindsay Timm and the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network,
Thank you for reaching out and for the important work CCSN does on behalf of cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and their families.

As the BC Green candidate for Richmond Centre, I believe that timely and equitable access to cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care should be a fundamental part of our public healthcare system. Where someone lives, their income, or whether they live in an Indigenous, rural, or remote community should not determine their chance of receiving timely cancer care.

1(a) Access to Cancer Care for Indigenous, Rural and Remote Communities
If elected, I would support action to reduce the barriers Indigenous people and people living in rural and remote communities face in accessing cancer diagnosis, testing, treatment, and follow-up care.
This means bringing more services closer to patients wherever possible, strengthening regional and community-based healthcare capacity, expanding appropriate virtual and mobile healthcare services, and improving transportation and accommodation support when patients must travel for specialized cancer treatment.

For Indigenous patients in particular, improving access must also mean providing culturally safe care. Indigenous communities should be meaningfully involved in the design and delivery of healthcare services that affect them. We should work in partnership with First Nations and Indigenous healthcare organizations rather than assuming that a single centralized model will meet the needs of every community.

No cancer patient should face a worse outcome simply because of their postal code or because appropriate care is hundreds of kilometres away.

1(b) Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Cancer Care
Yes. I support the responsible use of artificial intelligence when it can demonstrably improve patient outcomes, accelerate diagnosis, support healthcare professionals, reduce administrative burdens, and expand access to care.

AI has significant potential in areas such as medical imaging, early cancer detection, clinical decision support, and identifying patients who may require faster intervention. It may also help extend specialist expertise to rural and remote communities.

However, innovation must never come at the expense of patient safety, privacy, transparency, or equity. AI systems used in healthcare should be independently evaluated and continually monitored for accuracy and bias, including whether they perform equally well for Indigenous people and other populations that may be underrepresented in medical datasets.

AI should support healthcare professionals, not replace the human relationship between patients and their healthcare providers. Patients should ultimately benefit from the technology. I would therefore support responsible AI standards that emphasize measurable patient benefit, privacy protection, transparency, accountability, cultural safety, and equitable access across British Columbia.

2. Reducing Cancer-Care Wait Times
Cancer does not wait, and our healthcare system cannot treat excessive waiting as acceptable. If elected, I would support a comprehensive approach to reducing cancer-care wait times, including increasing and
retaining oncologists, nurses, technicians, diagnostic professionals and other healthcare workers; expanding diagnostic and treatment capacity where shortages exist; and making better use of technology and coordinated referrals to move patients through the system faster.

We also need to look at the entire cancer-care pathway rather than only the final treatment date. A patient who waits too long for diagnostic imaging, pathology, a biopsy, or an initial oncology consultation is already experiencing a cancer-care delay.

I support establishing clear and transparent performance targets throughout that pathway and publicly reporting whether those targets are being met. When bottlenecks develop, government and health authorities should be able to identify them quickly and respond. We should also reduce unnecessary administrative work for doctors and nurses so that more of their time can be spent caring for patients.

Our goal should not simply be to compare ourselves favourably with other provinces. Our goal should be to continuously improve outcomes and ensure that every British Columbian facing cancer receives diagnosis and treatment as quickly as medically appropriate.

3. Additional Screening for Women with Dense Breasts

Yes. I support addressing inequities in access to appropriate additional breast screening for women with dense breasts. A woman’s opportunity for early cancer detection should not depend on which community she lives in. For women with Category C or D breast density, where mammography may be less effective at detecting cancer, patients should receive clear information about their breast density and have access to appropriate evidence-based additional screening when clinically indicated.

I would support working with medical experts, radiologists, patient organizations and health authorities to establish consistent provincial standards so that medically appropriate supplemental screening is available equitably across British Columbia.

Early detection can save lives, reduce the need for more aggressive treatment, improve quality of life, and potentially reduce long-term costs to the healthcare system. Our screening policies should reflect the best available medical evidence and should be applied fairly throughout the province.

Thank you again for giving candidates the opportunity to address these important issues. Cancer affects not only patients but their families, caregivers, workplaces, and communities. British Columbians deserve a healthcare system that focuses on prevention and early detection, provides timely treatment, embraces responsible innovation, and ensures that no community is left behind.

Dear Lindsay,
Thank you for reaching out and for the important work the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network does to advocate for cancer patients, survivors, and their families. I appreciate the opportunity to share my perspectives on improving cancer care and healthcare access in British Columbia. These are important issues that deserve continued attention and meaningful action.

Please find my responses to your questions below. I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important conversation.

Thank you again for your advocacy and for ensuring candidates engage with the concerns and experiences of cancer patients and survivors.
Warmly,
Christine Kinnie (she/her)
BC Green Party Candidate
Surrey–White Rock

1(a). Addressing barriers to cancer care for Indigenous people
If elected, I will advocate for equitable, timely, and culturally safe cancer care for Indigenous people throughout British Columbia. Access to diagnosis and treatment should never depend on a person’s postal code, income, or Indigenous identity.

The BC Greens believe that colonialism and systemic racism create barriers to equitable healthcare. Addressing these barriers requires meaningful partnership with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities, respect for Indigenous self-determination, and collaboration with Indigenous-led health organizations.

I would support expanding culturally safe community health services, improving access to screening and diagnostic testing in rural and remote communities, and strengthening patient navigation so people can access specialist appointments, treatment, and follow-up care without unnecessary delays. We must also address practical barriers, including transportation, accommodation, and the costs associated with travelling long distances for treatment.

Investing in healthcare professionals and retaining experienced staff is essential to improving access. I support a public healthcare system that delivers the care people need, regardless of where they live or what they can afford. Reconciliation must include measurable improvements in health outcomes. Indigenous communities should have a meaningful role in shaping healthcare services and evaluating whether those services are meeting their needs.

1(b). Responsible and equitable use of artificial intelligence in cancer care
Yes. I support the responsible use of artificial intelligence in healthcare, provided that it improves patient outcomes, protects privacy, and reduces rather than reinforces existing inequities. AI has the potential to assist with earlier cancer detection, diagnostic processes, treatment planning, and healthcare administration. However, these benefits must be demonstrated through evidence, not assumed. AI systems trained on
incomplete or unrepresentative data can perpetuate bias and produce poorer outcomes for communities that are already underserved.

If elected, I will advocate for transparent evaluation of AI tools used in public healthcare, including assessment of their accuracy, safety, accessibility, and performance across different populations. Indigenous communities, rural and remote residents, and other underserved groups must be included in the design, testing, and evaluation of these technologies.

AI should support, not replace, the professional judgment of healthcare providers. Patients must retain appropriate human oversight, privacy protections, and meaningful avenues to question decisions that affect their care. Technology must be accompanied by investments in healthcare professionals, infrastructure, and accessible services. An advanced diagnostic tool is of limited value if a patient cannot access the follow-up appointment or treatment they need.

My priority would be to ensure that innovation serves the public interest and delivers demonstrable benefits to all British Columbians.

2. Improving cancer care wait times
Cancer patients should receive timely diagnosis, specialist appointments, and treatment. Waiting for an initial oncology consultation or necessary testing can cause enormous anxiety for patients and their families. Delays can also mean that opportunities for early intervention are missed.

If elected, I will advocate for a coordinated strategy to reduce delays throughout the cancer care pathway, from screening and diagnostic testing to referral, specialist consultation, treatment, and follow-up. This must include investing in the recruitment, training, and retention of healthcare professionals; improving staffing conditions to help experienced workers remain in the public system; and ensuring cancer centres have the capacity, equipment, and support services they need. We must also strengthen referral coordination and information-sharing so that patients do not fall through the gaps between providers.

The BC Greens support establishing an integrated Community Health Centre in every provincial riding. Stronger community-based care can help people access healthcare earlier, coordinate referrals, and identify potential health problems before they become more serious. Rural and remote communities also need solutions that address transportation, distance, and access to specialists.

I would support transparent public reporting of wait times at each stage of the cancer care pathway, broken down where possible by region and population group. This would help identify bottlenecks, measure progress against national benchmarks, and hold government accountable for improvements.

Finally, public healthcare funding must be directed toward delivering care rather than expanding costly privatization. Our priority should be a well-resourced public system that provides timely, equitable, evidence-based cancer care to everyone who needs it.

3. Equitable additional breast screening for women with dense breasts
Yes. I believe women with dense breasts deserve equitable access to appropriate screening and early detection, regardless of where they live in British Columbia.

Dense breast tissue can make cancer more difficult to detect on a mammogram. When additional screening is clinically appropriate, access should not depend on a woman’s postal code or ability to pay privately. Early detection can improve treatment options, reduce the need for more aggressive interventions, and improve quality of life.

If elected, I will advocate for a province-wide, evidence-based approach to supplemental breast screening for women with Category C and D breast density. This should include reviewing the current evidence and clinical guidelines, consulting breast imaging specialists and patients, and assessing how supplemental screening options such as ultrasound can be made more consistently available through the public healthcare system.

Any provincial policy should consider the benefits and limitations of different screening methods, including false positives, unnecessary follow-up procedures, and the potential for overdiagnosis. Women should receive clear information about their breast density, their individual risk factors, and the screening options available to them so they can make informed decisions with their healthcare providers.

Access to early detection should be based on clinical need and evidence, not geography or personal wealth. I will support efforts to eliminate unjustified regional disparities and ensure that women across British Columbia have a fair opportunity to benefit from advances in breast cancer screening.

If elected:
a) What steps will your government take to address the barriers that Indigenous people face when trying to access cancer care services to diagnose, test, and treat cancer?

As a First Nation who has lived in remote areas, this is dear to my heart. We have seen advances in digital health access, mobile services, Hope Air and nurse practitioners. The BC Green Party has a fully costed platform on health and affordability. A few that really resonate with me are:
– Establish an integrated Community Health Centre in every riding in the province.
– Commit to funding Virtual Group Care for those with complex chronic diseases, following
the BCCLMF model.

If elected:
b) As per the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Policy Framework, is your government committed to ensuring that the use of AI in healthcare/cancer care will continue to deliver clear and meaningful value for all people in British Columbia, especially Indigenous, remote, and rural communities?

This is a difficult question to respond to for me. First Nations have been experimented on, young, pregnant indigenous women tested without their consent for HIV, had cultural stories, medicine and knowledge stolen from them. There would have to be some pretty strong checks and balances to prevent further harm.

If elected:
What measures will your government take to improve wait times and continue to surpass national benchmarks?

The BC Green Party has some pretty solid policies for wrap around services and meeting people where they are at. Whether it is community health hubs with services such as evening or weekends, transportation corridors, supporting nurses in professional development and something as generic as housing for travelling staff, the platform is full costed. BCGreens.ca
If elected:

Would your government address this issue of women with dense breasts deserving the same opportunity for early detection as women with non-dense breasts.

Yes. Absolutely. The BC Green platform is about making life more affordable, more stable, an improved quality of life and living standards. It is fully costed and can be found at BCGreens.ca

Hi Lindsay,
Thanks for the e.mail and the questions and the background data and information. I am a plastic surgeon in Vancouver and work both at BC Children’s Hospital and at the Vancouver General Hospital. I have several
colleagues who are actively involved in cancer care, mainly reconstructive surgery and do this myself, though less frequently at BC Children’s Hospital.

If elected:
1. a) What steps will your government take to address the barriers that Indigenous people face when trying to access cancer care services to diagnose, test, and treat cancer?
The first need is for adequate primary care and this requires building relationships of trust and working within the indigenous culture. The First Nations Health Authority is a key player. We also have a small but increasing number of indigenous physicians in BC and some of them will gravitate to oncology practice.

The second need is for risk assessment. Cancer is multifactorial and risk factors are mainly understood from research on the “dominant” population”. We (the health care system) need population specific data and this means building trust with indigenous communities and conducting research in partnership with these communities and allowing them to own the results. Indigenous people are rightly skeptical of the health care system based on past experience and ongoing anti-indigenous racism. (This is being addressed in all the health authorities.)

Some causes are known – toxins, pollution, some genetic causes and these can be screened for. Screening services need to be made available in an equitable fashion to indigenous communities. If a person (indigenous or not) is diagnosed with cancer they need access to the BC Cancer Agency for appropriate multidisciplinary, specialized team care for diagnosis, staging, treatment and long-term follow-up.

The basic principles of medical ethics apply to all patients: autonomy (informed consent), beneficence, non-maleficence and justice. Justice is the hardest because our healthcare system is “broken” and can’t be fixed overnight. We don’t have the workforce and everyone is waiting for everything.

The Green Party will work to move the health care budget closer to the bed-side. The three primary points in the platform are:

• Build Community Health Centres in every region, with team-based care and long-term support.
• Finish delivering safe nurse-to-patient ratios.
• Keep every public health dollar in public care.

These are a good start.

We will also centralise referrals for surgeries and team-based models of non-surgical and pre-surgical care by introducing a single-entry model, rather than distributed lists. This will help the operative care of cancer patients.

1. b) As per the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Policy Framework, is your government committed to ensuring that the use of AI in healthcare/cancer care will continue to deliver clear and meaningful value for all people in British Columbia, especially Indigenous, remote, and rural communities?

AI is a double edged sword right now. There are significant concerns about the energy requirements for AI data centres and also about water use. These will have negative health effects. There is a concern about the reliability and validity of information. Even in health there is a lot of disinformation.

It is true that AI can be a useful tool in sorting out complex research questions and summarizing the large amount of cancer literature and this is a good use of AI. The other issue is the need to work with First Nations to ensure data sovereignty is protected. We need to ensure that the six pillars of the Responsible Ai Framework are adhered to.

2. What measures will your government take to improve wait times and continue to surpass national benchmarks?
We will work to expand the health care labour force.

3. Would your government address this issue of women with dense breasts deserving the same opportunity for early detection as women with non-dense breasts.

I don’t personally know the evidence in the literature about this question but medical decisions should be left to experts and be based on evidence and best practice. One of the issues in medical imaging in
general is the risk of radiation and the need to “image gently”.

I hope this provides a bit of an answer to your questions. The whole issue of healthcare is complex because of competing priorities in a system that has been underfunded and understaffed for quite some time. Every patient deserves the “best” care possible.

Dear Canadian Cancer Survivor Network,

1a) Addressing barriers to cancer care for Indigenous people People should be able to access timely cancer care without facing discrimination or having to navigate the system alone.

The BC Greens’ platform commits to supporting the First Nations Health Authority’s work to address systemic racism and establishing an integrated Community Health Centre in every riding. These commitments would help strengthen access to primary care, screening, and referrals.

If elected, I would advocate for cancer services designed with Indigenous communities, the First Nations Health Authority, and Indigenous patients and survivors. My priorities would include culturally safe patient navigation, practical support for travel and accommodation, and screening and follow-up closer to home wherever clinically appropriate. Virtual appointments should be available when helpful, alongside accessible in-person care.

Through my work in pharmacy, I understand how important clear communication and continuity of care are. Patients need someone who follows through, explains the next steps, and helps prevent them from falling through gaps between services.

1b) Responsible use of AI in healthcare and cancer care

Yes. I support responsible use of AI where it demonstrates meaningful improvements in patient care and equitable access. The BC Greens call for independent AI oversight and safety testing before deployment. I would apply those principles to healthcare, alongside the objectives of the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Policy Framework.

I would advocate for clinical validation, privacy protections, testing for bias, and ongoing monitoring of outcomes across Indigenous, rural, and remote communities. Indigenous peoples must have a meaningful role in decisions about the use and governance of their data.

AI should support qualified healthcare professionals, with clear human accountability for decisions. Success should be measured by earlier diagnosis, shorter waits, and better patient outcomes. Communities should also have accessible ways to raise concerns and seek review when something goes wrong.

2) Improving cancer-care wait times
A cancer diagnosis is frightening enough without uncertainty about when care will begin. I would advocate for measuring and addressing delays throughout the entire pathway, from diagnostic testing and the first oncology appointment through treatment and follow-up.

The BC Greens’ platform includes centralized surgical referrals, safer nurse-to-patient ratios, workforce planning, and measures to support training and retain healthcare workers. These provide a foundation for improving capacity and coordination across the public system.

For cancer care specifically, I would advocate for coordinated referrals and urgency-based triage, adequate diagnostic and treatment capacity, and clear accountability when patients wait beyond clinically appropriate timelines. Patients should receive updates and navigation support while waiting, rather than being left to chase appointments themselves. I would also support public reporting of wait times by region and stage of care. Meeting a provincial benchmark matters, but it must translate into timely care for individual patients, including those outside major urban centres.

3) Equitable screening for women with dense breasts
Yes. Women with dense breasts deserve clear information about their breast density and equitable access to appropriate additional screening. Where someone lives should not determine whether they can obtain a clinically recommended test. I personally have a very good friend who went through this last year, since she was diagnosed late due to dense breast tissue she has had the cancer spread, I would love to see improvements in this system.

BC Cancer’s current guidance indicates that patients with Category C or D breast density who choose supplemental ultrasound following a discussion with their provider can access MSP-covered testing with a requisition. Coverage must be matched by practical access to providers, imaging appointments, and timely follow-up.

I would advocate for consistent provincial referral pathways, adequate imaging capacity, and accessible information explaining the benefits and limitations of supplemental screening. Decisions should reflect breast density, individual risk, current evidence, and informed patient choice. This fits with the BC Greens’ broader commitment to equitable public healthcare and ensuring people receive the care they need.

Hello Lindsay,
Thank you for reaching out. Cancer affects every single Canadian, if not their own health, then the health of someone close to them. I have answered your questions below.
If elected:
1.
a) What steps will your government take to address the barriers that Indigenous people face when trying to access cancer care services to diagnose, test, and treat cancer?

– The BC Greens will create community care centers in all ridings that will provide everyone with the chance to have a local family doctor or nurse practitioner. Lab tests will be done in these centers as well. Every community, no matter how remote, will benefit from this. This will help with early detection and diagnosis. I believe specialized treatment centers should be increased in numbers and transportation assistance (including short term medical leave from work) should be given to those who need to use them.
b) As per the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Policy Framework, is your government committed to ensuring that the use of AI in healthcare/cancer care will continue to deliver clear and meaningful value for all people in British Columbia, especially Indigenous, remote, and rural communities?

-AI models are not all the same, and while I oppose the continued expansion without further review of generative AI/LLMs (large language models such as chat GPT), that should not hold up the machine learning models that are being utilized for science, technology, and medical fields.

2. What measures will your government take to improve wait times and continue to surpass national benchmarks?
-Additional funding to the medical system will increase the number of doctors, nurses, and technicians, as well as expanding medical equipment. The BC Greens also want to focus on retaining medical personnel by improving working conditions, as this is even more important than enticing new professionals to the province.

3. Would your government address this issue of women with dense breasts deserving the same opportunity for early detection as women with non-dense breasts.
-Medical care should be evidence based. If the experts agree that this is the best practice, then it should be implemented.

Hello Lindsay, 

Thank you very much for your email and for the important work the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network does on behalf of cancer patients, survivors, and their families. 

I apologize for the delayed response; I appreciate the opportunity to address your questions. 

1(a). Improving access to cancer care for Indigenous communities 

The BC Greens recognize that Indigenous peoples continue to face significant barriers to healthcare, particularly in rural and remote communities. Our platform commits to supporting the First Nations Health Authority’s work to address systemic racism and improve Indigenous health outcomes. We also propose establishing integrated Community Health Centres in every riding to improve access to coordinated, culturally safe healthcare (pp. 20–22). 

1(b). Responsible use of AI in healthcare 

I believe AI has considerable potential to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment, provided it is implemented safely and equitably. The BC Greens’ platform includes commitments to independent AI oversight, stronger privacy protections, transparency in AI-assisted decision-making, and Indigenous data sovereignty (pp. 48–49). These safeguards matter especially in healthcare, where patient safety and clinical judgment must remain paramount. 

2. Improving cancer care wait times 

Timely diagnosis and treatment are essential to improving cancer outcomes. The BC Greens’ healthcare platform includes commitments to expanding community-based care, improving referral coordination, strengthening healthcare staffing, and allowing medical imaging professionals to work to their full scope of practice (pp. 20–22). 

These measures would help address pressures throughout the healthcare system. If elected, I would also welcome the opportunity to work with BC Cancer and patient advocacy organizations to understand better and address the specific barriers contributing to cancer care delays. 

3. Equitable breast screening 

I agree that access to appropriate cancer screening should not depend on where someone lives or their ability to pay. While our platform does not specifically address supplemental screening for women with dense breast tissue, its emphasis on prevention, early intervention, and equitable healthcare access is consistent with these concerns. 

If elected, I would examine current screening guidelines and opportunities to improve access to evidence-based supplemental screening across the province. 

The BC Greens believe British Columbians deserve timely, accessible, high-quality public healthcare. Our full platform is available at https://bcgreens.ca/our-plan/ 

Thank you again for your advocacy and for bringing these important issues forward. 

Yours truly,

Dear Canadian Cancer Survivor Network, 

Thank you for your important work advocating for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and their families across Canada. Cancer care is not simply a health-care issue; it is also an issue of equity, human dignity, family well-being, and economic security. 

As the BC Greens candidate for Vancouver-Langara, I believe every British Columbian should have timely access to high-quality, evidence-based cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care, regardless of where they live, their income, or their cultural background. 

My professional experience as a lawyer, former judge, and human rights investigator has reinforced my conviction that public institutions must be accessible, accountable, and responsive to the people they serve. Guided by the BC Greens’ commitment to Care You Can Count On, I would advocate for the following measures. 

1(a). Improving access to cancer care for Indigenous peoples and rural, remote, and First Nations communities 

If elected, I would advocate for a comprehensive approach that removes geographic, financial, cultural, and systemic barriers to cancer care. 

First, strengthen community-based cancer services. I would advocate for expanded diagnostic testing, screening, and referral services closer to where people live, supported by mobile screening programs, telehealth consultations, and stronger partnerships between BC Cancer, regional health 

authorities, the First Nations Health Authority, and local Indigenous health providers. Where specialist services cannot be delivered locally, patients should receive coordinated referrals and assistance accessing treatment centres. 

Second, advance Indigenous-led, culturally safe health care. Indigenous peoples must be active partners in designing and evaluating the services intended for them. I would support meaningful engagement with First Nations communities and Indigenous health organizations, culturally safe care, Indigenous patient navigators, and appropriate training for health-care professionals to address systemic racism and discrimination. 

Third, remove practical barriers to treatment. Patients in remote communities may face substantial travel, accommodation, childcare, and income-related costs when accessing specialist care. I would advocate for improved travel and accommodation assistance, coordinated appointments, and support for patients and caregivers who must leave their communities for diagnosis or treatment. 

Fourth, strengthen prevention and early detection. Community-led education, accessible screening, timely follow-up of abnormal results, and appropriate support for patients at elevated risk should be integral to provincial cancer-control planning. 

These measures should be developed in partnership with Indigenous communities and evaluated through transparent reporting on access, waiting times, and patient outcomes. Reconciliation in 

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10/19/26, 9:42 AM Canadian Cancer Survivor Network Mail – British Columbia Provincial Election 2026 | Élections provinciales en Colombie-Britanniq… health care must be demonstrated through measurable improvements in people’s lives. 

1(b). Responsible and equitable use of artificial intelligence in cancer care 

Yes. I support the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care where credible evidence shows it improves travel and accommodation support, coordinated appointments, patient outcomes, access, efficiency, and equity. However, technological innovation must serve patients, not become an end. 

If elected, I would advocate for the following safeguards and commitments: 

Equity and bias prevention: AI systems used in cancer screening, diagnosis, risk assessment, or treatment planning should be independently evaluated for accuracy across Indigenous populations, racialized communities, rural populations, women, older adults, and other groups that may be underrepresented in training data. 

Indigenous data governance: The collection, use, sharing, and interpretation of Indigenous health data must respect Indigenous rights, applicable privacy protections, and community specific data-governance principles. 

Transparency and accountability: Patients and health-care professionals should receive appropriate information about how AI informs clinical decisions. Clear accountability, human oversight, independent evaluation, and mechanisms to challenge or correct errors must be in place. 

Meaningful improvements in access: AI should help identify cancers earlier, support radiologists and oncologists, reduce administrative delays, and improve coordination between local providers and specialists. Investments must also ensure that rural and remote communities have the digital infrastructure and trained personnel needed to benefit. 

Ongoing monitoring: AI systems should be assessed regularly for safety, effectiveness, unintended consequences, and disparities in outcomes. 

AI should complement, not replace the professional judgment of qualified clinicians or the human relationships essential to compassionate cancer care. I would support a responsible AI framework with measurable equity objectives, public accountability, and meaningful consultation with patients, Indigenous communities, health-care professionals, and other affected groups. 

2. Reducing cancer-care wait times and improving access to treatment 

A cancer diagnosis can be frightening and life-changing. Uncertainty while waiting for an initial oncology appointment, diagnostic testing, or treatment adds unnecessary distress to patients and their families. British Columbia must build on its progress while addressing delays throughout the entire cancer-care pathway. 

If elected, I would advocate for a coordinated strategy built around five priorities. 

1. Reduce delays from referral to diagnosis and treatment. The province should establish and publicly report clear targets for the time between an abnormal screening result, diagnostic testing, specialist consultation, confirmed diagnosis, and the start of treatment. Reporting should distinguish between cancer types and stages so urgent cases receive appropriate priority. 
2. Expand diagnostic and specialist capacity. I would advocate for investments in medical imaging, pathology, laboratory services, radiotherapy, surgical capacity, and oncology staffing based on demonstrated regional needs. Recruiting and retaining health-care professionals, recognizing internationally trained professionals where appropriate, and supporting training and workforce development are essential to sustainable improvements. 

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10/19/26, 9:42 AM Canadian Cancer Survivor Network Mail – British Columbia Provincial Election 2026 | Élections provinciales en Colombie-Britanniq… 3. Improve coordination through a patient-centred system. I would support streamlined referrals, coordinated diagnostic pathways, multidisciplinary cancer teams, and patient navigation. Patients should not have to navigate complex health-system processes alone or repeatedly contact providers to find out what happens next. 

4. Strengthen community-based and preventive care. The BC Greens support community health centres and team-based care. These services can help patients obtain timely assessments, manage symptoms, receive follow-up care, and navigate referrals, while reducing avoidable pressure on emergency departments and hospitals. 
5. Establish transparent accountability. I would press the government and health authorities to publish regular, accessible performance reports on waiting times, staffing, diagnostic capacity, regional disparities, and patient outcomes. Where targets are missed, the public should be informed about the causes and the corrective measures being taken. 

Expanding capacity must go hand in hand with better coordination and responsible use of public resources. I would prioritize evidence-based investments that demonstrably reduce delays and improve survival, quality of life, and the experience of patients and caregivers. 

Our objective should be a cancer-care system in which no patient experiences avoidable delays because of where they live or their ability to navigate the system. 

3. Equitable supplemental breast screening for women with dense breasts 

Yes. I believe women deserve equitable access to appropriate breast-cancer screening and timely follow-up, regardless of their postal code. 

Dense breast tissue can make cancers more difficult to detect on mammograms because dense tissue and many tumours both appear white on the image. Breast density can also be associated with increased breast-cancer risk. Women with Category C or D breast density should therefore receive clear information about their individual risk and the screening options that may be appropriate for them. 

If elected, I would advocate for a province-wide, evidence-based approach that includes: 

Consistent provincial guidelines: Develop clear, evidence-informed criteria for supplemental screening for women with dense breasts, taking account of breast density, individual risk factors, the benefits and limitations of available tests, and current clinical evidence. 

Equitable access: Ensure that eligibility for medically appropriate supplemental screening does not depend arbitrarily on where a woman lives. Access criteria should be consistent across British Columbia, with appropriate arrangements for rural and remote communities. 

Informed decision-making: Ensure women receive understandable information about their breast density, associated risks, the limitations of mammography, and the potential benefits and harms of additional imaging. 

Timely access to additional testing: Where supplemental imaging is clinically indicated, women should have timely access to appropriate services, including ultrasound or other suitable modalities based on individual risk and clinical guidance. 

Transparent evaluation: Monitor access, wait times, follow-up of abnormal findings, and outcomes across regions to identify and address inequities. 

I would also advocate reviewing current breast-screening policies and practices to identify gaps and determine what changes are needed to improve equitable access. Decisions should be informed by the best available evidence, consultation with breast-imaging specialists and patient 

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10/19/26, 9:42 AM Canadian Cancer Survivor Network Mail – British Columbia Provincial Election 2026 | Élections provinciales en Colombie-Britanniq… advocates, and consideration of the benefits, false-positive findings, additional procedures, and resource implications associated with supplemental screening. 

The goal is not simply to increase the number of tests performed; it is to ensure that women receive the right screening, at the right time, with appropriate follow-up and without avoidable geographic barriers. 

Conclusion 

The BC Greens believe that when people need care, that care should be available when they need it. Cancer patients and their families should not have to fight through administrative barriers, geographic inequalities, or prolonged uncertainty to obtain essential services. 

As a candidate, I would advocate for a publicly funded, patient-centred cancer-care system that prioritizes prevention, early detection, timely treatment, culturally safe services, responsible innovation, and transparent accountability. 

I would welcome continued engagement with the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network, cancer survivors, caregivers, health-care professionals, Indigenous health organizations, and patient advocates to ensure that provincial policy reflects the lived experiences of those who depend on these services. 

Thank you again for providing candidates with the opportunity to address these important issues and for your continued advocacy on behalf of cancer patients and their families. 

Sincerely,

Hello Lindsay, 

Thank you for your letter. I have reviewed it, and my responses are as follows: 

1a. What steps will your government take to address the barriers that Indigenous people face when trying to access cancer care services to diagnose, test, and treat cancer? 

I agree that Indigenous communities face barriers rooted in historic systemic inequities, and rural areas and lack of access to transportation make it worse. The BC Greens will continue to support the First Nations Health Authority’s work to address systemic racism and improve Indigenous life expectancy, and will implement the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) through legislation. We will also establish an integrated community health centre in every riding, so screening and early detection happen closer to home. 

1b. As per the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Policy Framework, is your government committed to ensuring that the use of AI in healthcare/cancer care will continue to deliver clear and meaningful value for all people in British Columbia, especially Indigenous, remote, and rural communities? 

I do not have the medical or technical expertise to say how AI should be used in cancer care, and I would want to hear from oncologists, radiologists, Indigenous health leaders and patients before taking a position. Ideally, AI should support clinicians, not replace them. I have seen very promising and helpful advances being made with machine learning (which falls under AI), but I have also seen an explosion of unverified facts and misinformation circulating the web due to AI and I would be very cautious to throw my support in a particular direction without further review or research. 

2. What measures will your government take to improve wait times and continue to surpass national benchmarks? 

I understand how when early intervention is unavailable, conditions worsen, and then become costlier to treat. The BC Greens, per the 2026 platform, will: 

Centralize surgical referrals through a single entry model rather than distributed lists. 

Regulate radiographers and medical imaging technologists so they can work to the full scope of their practice, which supports diagnostic capacity. 

Fund safe nurse to patient ratios in the public system and phase out reliance on for profit staffing agencies. Improve workforce planning through better health authority data, and review loan forgiveness and paid practicums for health care students. 

Resist the creeping privatization of care, which draws staff from public hospitals and has worsened wait times in Alberta. 

3. Would your government address this issue of women with dense breasts deserving the same opportunity for early detection as women with non-dense breasts? 

I do not know enough about supplemental screening to commit to a position, and I would need to speak with doctors and screening specialists who understand it far better than I do. Without further information, I want to say that those with dense breasts should have the same chance at early detection as anyone else, and that access should ideally not depend on postal code. I would be happy to learn more and am tentatively supportive of moving toward equitable, publicly-funded supplemental screening for those with Category C and D density, guided by BC Cancer’s evidence review. 

Feel free to email back if you have any other questions.

Dear Canadian Cancer Survivor Network: 

These questions posed in your email are particularly relevant to our candidate, Maria J. Cruz – herself a breast cancer survivor who had to endure cruel wait times and uncertainty around types of screenings. When it comes to cancer care, Maria vows to do everything in her power to improve wait times and the BC Greens have a thorough healthcare policy plank that includes Indigenous healthcare. You can access it HERE. And details are attached. 

We hope to have your vote!

Good evening Lindsay, 

Thank you for raising these important issues.  

1. a) What steps will your government take to address the barriers that Indigenous people face when trying to access cancer care services to diagnose, test, and treat cancer? 

This is work Lisa Lapointe has already begun. She is a longtime public servant, from 2011 until her retirement in 2024, Lisa served as B.C.’s Chief Coroner. During her tenure, she worked proactively to strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities. In 2017, Lisa Lapointe signed a formal Declaration of Commitment on Cultural Safety and Humility with the First Nations Health Authority. The Coroners Service was the first provincial government agency to make that public commitment. She will continue to build on those relationships to ensure Indigenous people get the care they need. 

Lisa Lapointe and the Green Party commit to: 

• Building Community Health Centres in every community, so care is close to home. 
• Continuing to support the First Nations Health Authority’s work to address systemic racism and improve Indigenous life expectancy. 
• Ensuring trauma-informed practice and Indigenous Cultural Safety education is mandated and provided for 911 operators, first responders, and mobile crisis teams. 
• Examining and addressing disparities and any inequitable impacts of mental health legislation on people based on identity, including but not limited to Indigenous People, Black and racialized communities, people with disabilities, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. 
• Making certain the development, content, and implementation of mental health legislation is compliant with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 
• Ensuring provincial legislation strengthens Indigenous determinants of health, including connections to land, culture, identity, spirituality, language, and traditional health practices. 

1. b) As per the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Policy Framework, is your government committed to ensuring that the use of AI in healthcare/cancer care will continue to deliver clear and meaningful value for all people in British Columbia, especially Indigenous, remote, and rural communities? 

Due to the snap election called by the NDP the BC Green party has not had the opportunity to review all aspects of health care. Lisa Lapointe and the BC Greens are committed to evidence based treatment throughout all health care, including specialized cancer care. If elected, Lisa 

Lapointe would be reaching out to work with stakeholders across all aspects of health care to ensure accessibility of needed services. 

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/?ik=439b3f6a8e&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f:1878967878417486003&simpl=msg-f:187896787841748600… 6/7

10/22/26, 10:12 AM Canadian Cancer Survivor Network Mail – British Columbia Provincial Election 2026 | Élections provinciales en Colombie-Britanni… 

What measures will your government take to improve wait times and continue to surpass national benchmarks? 

The Green will put an emphasis on community care to improve access for all by: · Establishing an integrated Community Health Centre in every riding in the province. 

• Supporting effective triage in the ER with more long-term care beds. 
• Committing to funding Virtual Group Care for those with complex chronic diseases, following the BCCLMF model. 

Would your government address this issue of women with dense breasts deserving the same opportunity for early detection as women with non-dense breasts. 

Due to the snap election called by the NDP the BC Green party has not had the opportunity to review all aspects of health care. Lisa Lapointe and the BC Greens are committed to evidence based treatment throughout all health care. If elected, Lisa Lapointe would be reaching out to work with stakeholders across all aspects of health care to ensure accessibility of needed services. 

I am attaching a link the fully costed platform of the BC Green party for your reference – https://bcgreens.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/BCG_Platform.pdf

Hello, 

Thank you for reaching out and asking important questions! 

1. In British Columbia, Indigenous people account for roughly 5.7 per cent of the total population [7]. Additionally, nearly 1 million British Columbians live in rural, remote, or First Nations communities, and contribute billions of dollars to the economy every year [8]. To create and maintain true and lasting reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, the government of British Columbia needs to address the lack of accessible health services available, especially in these communities. 

If elected: 

1. a) What steps will your government take to address the barriers that Indigenous people face when trying to access cancer care services to diagnose, test, and treat cancer? 

BC Greens will invest in nurses, and create community health centres, with a focus on bringing care to under-served communities, and connecting people with specialists. Of course, and as with everything, Indigenous people will inform the process and determine what that looks like for every different community. Beyond that, conversations must be ongoing with regard to understanding and meeting people’s needs. 

Incorporating innovative advancements to health and cancer care can transform the quality of care that British Columbians may receive [9]. This is because AI can improve early cancer detection, accelerate the development and evaluation of potential live-saving treatment, and reduce health care expenses [9]. However, there are still existing challenges, including bias towards certain communities, which results in inequity [10]. Indigenous peoples in BC may face higher systemic health inequities regarding cancer [10] [11]. The use of AI may contribute to better healthcare access, but it must be implemented ethically and emphasize cultural safety [10]. According to Santis Health, Canadians view AI as an important tool that needs to be incorporated in health care [12]. 

If elected: 

1. b) As per the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Policy Framework, is your government committed to ensuring that the use of AI in healthcare/cancer care will continue to deliver clear and meaningful value for all people in British Columbia, especially Indigenous, remote, and rural communities? 

There are so many challenges facing us with regard to AI, and it’s important that we understand what we’re dealing with. If AI is able to provide improvements in healthcare outcomes, that can’t be ignored, and at the same time, we know very little about AI and what impact it will have on our futures. BC Greens believe in putting a moratorium on AI data centres while studying their impact. Clearly there need to be studies of AI’s impact on healthcare as well. 

2. Although British Columbia has made significant strides in addressing wait times to receive care by increasing funding, healthcare workers, cancer centres, and decreasing wait times for cancer treatments [13], the province is still struggling to fully correct the issue. British Columbians are dying from cancer while they wait for long periods of time to receive treatment [14]. The government of BC needs to prioritize the 

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10/19/26, 9:49 AM Canadian Cancer Survivor Network Mail – British Columbia Provincial Election 2026 | Élections provinciales en Colombie-Britanniq… improvement of wait times so that cancer patients can receive the life-saving care they need to improve outcomes. 

If elected: 

What measures will your government take to improve wait times and continue to surpass national benchmarks? 

BC Greens believe in prevention over being reactionary. We will increase investments in healthcare, and pay for that by taxing the ultra-wealthy. With community health centres more seamlessly connecting communities to the specialized services they need, and through the funding of more positions, infrastructure and capacity will be built to reduce wait times. 

3. In British Columbia, access to additional breast screening for women with Category C and D breast density is limited and inequitable, often depending on where a woman lives. Dense breasts make it harder for radiologists to spot cancer because both cancer and dense tissue appear white on a mammogram, creating a masking effect. Additional screening, such as ultrasound, can find cancers missed by mammography when they are still small and have not spread to the lymph nodes. Early detection means a better prognosis, less aggressive treatment, better quality of life, and lower costs to the healthcare system. 

If elected: 

Would your government address this issue of women with dense breasts deserving the same opportunity for early detection as women with non-dense breasts. 

Without a doubt, there should be equitable access to screening for all breasts. While the BC Greens platform doesn’t go into these specifics, this is absolutely an issue I will champion. 

Please let me know if you have any other questions. 

Thanks again, 

Good evening Lindsay. Thank you so much for reaching out with these concerns. I will be referring to points in the BC Green Party’s platform, 

1a) Between lack of access to services, and ongoing systemic racism, the BC Greens acknowledge the issues Indigenous people face. Referring to our healthcare policy brief (https://bcgreens.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/BC-Greens Healthcare-Policy-Brief-2026.pdf), the BC Greens pledge to: 

– The BC Greens have committed to establishing an integrated Community Health Centre in every riding in the province. – Further supporting the First Nations Health Authority’s work to address systemic racism in our healthcare system 

1b) Development of AI has grown much faster than anybody’s ability to ensure it is used safety and for the benefit of us. Inaccuracies and misinformation is still a major concern, and can put people’s lives at risk. Under our AI policy brief (https://bcgreens.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/BC-Greens-Healthcare-Policy-Brief-2026.pdf), the BC Green Party pledges to: 

– Work with the federal government to create an independent AI oversight commission, to ensure any developed AI systems are properly tested for safety and regulated BEFORE it’s used in BC. 

2) Despite improvements, wait times and access to resources continue to be an issue across the province. As part of our healthcare policy brief (https://bcgreens.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/BC-Greens-Healthcare-Policy-Brief-2026.pdf), the BC Green’s pledge to: 

– Establishing a community health center in every riding. 

– Centralising referrals through a single-entry model, rather than distributed lists. 

– Increase funding for public system nurses so there are safe nurse to patient ratios. 

3) Misdiagnosis is a serious concern. Like you said, early detection is vital. My own mother is a survivor of pancreatic cancer, and early detection played a big part in that. Having adequate staffing, and ensuring said staff is fully trained, is important and part of our platform (https://bcgreens.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/BC-Greens-Healthcare-Policy-Brief 2026.pdf): 

– Regulate radiographers and medical imaging technologists so they can work to the full scope of their practice. – Review loan forgiveness and paid practicums for all healthcare students to incentivize sufficient staffing and support training. 

I hope this helps. I apologize for taking a few days. Long story short, didn’t realize emails to this address were not forwarding properly, and I’ve been catching up these last few days.

Dear Ms. Timm,
Thank you for the questions. I will answer each one, and say where our platform has a commitment and where it does
not.
1a. Barriers for Indigenous people accessing cancer care.
Our platform has no commitment specific to Indigenous cancer care. What it does commit to is front-line capacity: 600 more nurse practitioner positions in the public system by 2030, more than doubling assessment of internationally trained family doctors to 200 a year by 2028, a permanent rural retention bonus extended to every community with repeated closures, and a $25 million a year rural ER stabilization fund. It also commits to ending long-term drinking water advisories in BC First Nations communities, with the First Nations Health Authority and Ottawa.

On cancer care itself, I think diagnosis is the barrier before treatment is. Someone who cannot get a primary care appointment never gets the referral, and in a riding that runs from West Vancouver to Pemberton, travel alone can decide whether a person follows through. I would press for cancer care decisions to be made with Nations through the First Nations Health Authority, and for travel and accommodation support for patients who live hours from a cancer centre.

1b. Responsible use of AI.

Yes. Our platform commits to a Trustworthy Government AI Act by spring 2027. A person must make or review everysignificant decision. Any system used for those decisions must pass an impact assessment before it is used, not after. People get a right to an explanation and an appeal, and by 2028 there will be a public register of the algorithms government uses. The platform also states that no AI pilot in public services will be expanded until its results are published. In health care specifically, the AI scribe for family doctors requires patient consent, keeps data in Canada, and never uses patient data to train models.

The test I would apply is that a tool which performs well in all regions of the province. Published results by region are how you find that out.

2. Wait times.
Our platform commits to 15,000 more scheduled surgeries a year by 2030/31, five more MRI machines in public hospitals running extended hours, and 20,000 publicly funded scans a year contracted at existing clinics while those machines are installed, at no cost to patients.

The part that will do the most work is the accountability behind it. By spring 2028 there will be one public health dashboard showing surgeries, scans, specialists and emergency rooms by hospital and region. Every health authority will carry public targets in its mandate letter, and health authority CEO contracts and pay will be tied to meeting them. Results are updated monthly, reported to the Legislature quarterly, and checked by the Auditor General every year. A region that falls behind has 90 days to publish a recovery plan. Benchmarks hold when the numbers are public and someone has to answer for them.

3. Screening for women with dense breast tissue.
Our platform does not address this. My own view is that it should. If a mammogram is less able to find cancer in dense tissue, then women with Category C and D density are receiving a less effective test from the same program, and where they live should not decide whether they get a second one. Supplemental screening, available consistently across the province, is something I would advocate for if elected.

Good afternoon Lindsay,
Thank you for sending this and for reaching out to get my perspective. I can speak directly to the issues you’ve raised, as I recently completed my treatment for breast cancer (invasive ductal carcinoma – HER2). My journey included 15 months of chemotherapy, drug therapy, radiation, and a mastectomy. As a Métis person living in a rural and remote area, I know firsthand that your questions are on point and that significant barriers must be removed to provide better access to care.

If elected, I would love to take more time to address the questions you’ve brought forward. I strongly believe that the OneBC platform addresses many of these issues from both a structural and policy perspective.
Thank you again for reaching out.

Dear Canadian Cancer Survivor Network,
Attention: Lindsay Timm | Executive Director, CCSN
Thank you for the opportunity to address these important questions on cancer care. Timely diagnosis, testing, and treatment save lives, and British Columbians deserve a system that delivers results without unnecessary delays or barriers. My responses are grounded in the need for practical improvements, better use of existing resources, and accountability for outcomes.
1a. Addressing barriers for Indigenous people accessing cancer care
Cancer does not discriminate, and every British Columbian—regardless of background or location—deserves timely access to diagnosis, testing, and treatment. For people living in rural, remote, and First Nations
communities, the main barriers are distance, transportation, shortage of specialists, and capacity constraints in the broader system.

If elected, a OneBC government would focus on practical steps available to allresidents of these communities:
· Expand virtual care and specialist outreach so that initial consultations, follow-up, and some diagnostics can occur closer to home.
· Prioritize recruitment and retention of healthcare workers (including through private-sector options alongside the public system) to increase overall capacity.
· Improve patient transportation and lodging supports based on medical need rather than identity.
· Shift administrative and overhead spending toward frontline services so more resources reach actual care.
· Ensure that any community-specific programs demonstrate clear, measurable improvements in wait times and outcomes and are open to all residents who need them.
True lasting improvement comes from strengthening the overall healthcare system so that geography and capacity, not identity, are the primary factors determining access.

1b. Responsible use of AI in healthcare and cancer care
Yes. Artificial intelligence has clear potential to improve early detection, speed diagnosis, support treatment decisions, and reduce costs. A OneBC government would support its continued, responsible use provided it
delivers measurable value—faster, more accurate care—for all British Columbians. Implementation must be evidence-based, transparent, and free of ideological bias. Tools should be validated for performance across the population, including rural and remote patients, and monitored for real-world outcomes. Cultural safety and ethical standards are important, but the overriding goal must remain better clinical results and equitable access based on medical need, not identity categories. We would require clear reporting on performance, costs, and patient outcomes so that AI investments are justified by results.

2. Improving wait times and surpassing national benchmarks
BC has made progress, but too many patients still wait too long. A OneBC government would pursue the following measures:
· Shift more spending from administration and bureaucracy to frontline oncologists, diagnostic capacity, and treatment resources.
· Allow greater private-sector participation (private clinics, diagnostic centres, and surgical capacity) alongside the public system to increase overall throughput and reduce public wait lists.
· Expand and better coordinate cancer centres and outreach, with a focus on high-volume pathways and same-day or rapid diagnostic clinics where evidence supports them.
· Improve data transparency and public reporting of wait times by region and cancer type so performance can be tracked and accountability enforced.
· Review and streamline referral and approval processes that currently create bottlenecks.
· Tie any additional funding to measurable reductions in wait times and improved survival or quality-of-life outcomes rather than process metrics alone.

The objective is simple: patients should receive the care they need as quickly as clinically appropriate, and the system should be structured to deliver that result efficiently.

3. Additional breast screening for women with dense breasts (Category C and D)
Yes. Women with dense breasts face a higher risk of cancers being missed on standard mammography. Where evidence shows that supplemental screening (such as ultrasound or other appropriate modalities) improves early detection for this group, access should not depend on postal code.

A OneBC government would direct the system to provide equitable access to evidence-based supplemental screening for women with Category C or D density, regardless of where they live. This can be achieved by:
· Standardizing protocols and referral criteria across health authorities.
· Expanding capacity through both public and private diagnostic providers.
· Prioritizing high-risk or dense-breast pathways so that additional imaging does not create new bottlenecks elsewhere.
· Monitoring detection rates, stage at diagnosis, and costs so that the approach remains clinically and financially justified.

Early detection benefits patients and reduces the intensity and cost of later treatment. Access should be driven by clinical evidence and medical need.
I am happy to provide further detail or meet with your organization if that would be useful. Cancer patients and survivors deserve a system focused on results.