Downloading is a favourite hobby for senior government these days, and it’s time that it came to a stop. Case in point is Coun. Barry Beardsell’s opposition to local taxpayers paying 40 per cent of the cost of health care capital costs, including the proposed $81 million diagnostic and treatment tower at Vernon Jubilee Hospital. The problem with this is that health care is clearly a provincial jurisdiction. It makes all of the decisions regarding health care and whether new facilities will proceed. But Victoria’s responsibilities come to a screeching halt when it actually comes to paying for such work. At this point, they go cap in hand to municipalities and regional districts looking for dough. And that is completely unfair because residents wind up paying twice — through their provincial taxes and their local property taxes. They might be two different pots, but there is just one taxpayer. And the inequities continue because not all regions in B.C. contribute property taxes to health care. Some see the entire bill for construction projects covered by the province. But Beardsell’s battle may be short-lived because some of his colleagues don’t want to make waves. They have come to accept downloading as reality, and that any opposition may force the provincial government not to expand facilities here. However, such views are shortsighted and not serving taxpayers. The provincial government is the first one to whine when it faces financial downloading from the federal government, but it’s own actions towards municipalities are hypocritical. It is time for Victoria to get the message that enough is enough. -------------------------------
Victoria hammered over funding
By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff Jun 17 2007
A Vernon
politician is tired of health care costs being dumped on local taxpayers. Coun. Barry Beardsell wants the city to pressure the provincial government to cover all capital costs for health care facilities instead of the current system which involves municipalities and electoral areas through the North Okanagan-Columbia-Shuswap Regional Hospital District. “The government picks up 60 per cent (of funding) and we pick up 40 per cent. The province is always downloading on us,” he said. Beardsell added that the province gets financial assistance 
from the federal government for health care but municipalities and electoral areas are on their own for funding. Among the projects the NOCSRHD will provide 40 per cent of the funding for is the $81 million diagnostic and treatment tower at Vernon Jubilee Hospital. But not everyone on council agrees with Beardsell’s plans to push the matter. Coun. Pat Cochrane points out that the city has had to assist the province with other infrastructure projects such as highways and parks before. “It’s a fact of life with government. If we as a community want something done, we have to be a partner,” he said. Cochrane is also concerned Beardsell’s concept could lead to Vernon not getting any money for health care facilities such as VJH. “The government will put us at the bottom of the list if we’re not willing to partner,” he said. Beardsell, though, says he’s not raised the issue specifically about Vernon but for all municipalities and regional districts in B.C. “This is not an appropriate thing to be based on property tax. We’re not trying to go it alone as Vernon,” he said.
politician is tired of health care costs being dumped on local taxpayers. Coun. Barry Beardsell wants the city to pressure the provincial government to cover all capital costs for health care facilities instead of the current system which involves municipalities and electoral areas through the North Okanagan-Columbia-Shuswap Regional Hospital District. “The government picks up 60 per cent (of funding) and we pick up 40 per cent. The province is always downloading on us,” he said. Beardsell added that the province gets financial assistance 
from the federal government for health care but municipalities and electoral areas are on their own for funding. Among the projects the NOCSRHD will provide 40 per cent of the funding for is the $81 million diagnostic and treatment tower at Vernon Jubilee Hospital. But not everyone on council agrees with Beardsell’s plans to push the matter. Coun. Pat Cochrane points out that the city has had to assist the province with other infrastructure projects such as highways and parks before. “It’s a fact of life with government. If we as a community want something done, we have to be a partner,” he said. Cochrane is also concerned Beardsell’s concept could lead to Vernon not getting any money for health care facilities such as VJH. “The government will put us at the bottom of the list if we’re not willing to partner,” he said. Beardsell, though, says he’s not raised the issue specifically about Vernon but for all municipalities and regional districts in B.C. “This is not an appropriate thing to be based on property tax. We’re not trying to go it alone as Vernon,” he said.
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