As of April 1, 2025, over $150,000 in health service funding has been cut from Galiano Island — part of a broader $400,000 loss across the Outer Gulf Islands (Galiano, Mayne, Pender, and Saturna).
These grants funded essential programs such as nursing, mental health outreach, and social supports — services that many in our community depend on.
aliano Health Care Society – Community Call to Action
Dated: July 1, 2025
Dear Galiano Community,
We are writing with distressing news and an urgent call for your help.
On April 25, 2025, we were informed that the Ministry of Health will not renew funding for two major grants:
- In Practice Nurse & First Call Nurse Programs – $85,300
- Mental Health and Wellness Outreach Program – $69,500
Total funding loss: over $150,000 for services that are essential to our island’s health and well-being.
What These Programs Have Meant for Galiano
In Practice Nurse: Launched in 2023, supported by the 2023 Gala, this role helped manage chronic conditions and emergency stabilization—freeing physicians (1.8 FTE) for booked care.
First Call Nurse: The first point of contact on weekends and critical backup for off-island physicians. Already discontinued due to the funding cut.
Mental Health Outreach: Started in 2022 with a small grant from the Victoria Foundation and expanded through BCACH support, this program has been offering 30 hours per week of social work support. It serves some of our most
vulnerable residents—connecting them to housing, food, income, mental health, addictions, and medical resources—and has become a trusted, stabilizing presence in the community.
Together, these services reduce pressure on our physicians and are a cornerstone of our strategy to achieve access to high-quality primary care for all islanders. Cuts to these programs will mean a reduction in clinic services.
Regional Context: Not Just Galiano
Galiano is not alone. Similar cuts affected Mayne and Pender, with over $400,000 lost across the Outer Gulf Islands. In response, we have:
- Submitted a joint letter to BC Health leadership
- Filed an urgent impact statement
- Requested early draw Primary Care Network funding
- Begun seeking alternate grant support
- Without renewed support, the Health Society simply cannot sustain these programs at their current levels, and we must move ahead to make unwanted but necessary reductions in services.
How You Can Help
- Write to decision-makers – Contact details below
- Share your networks – Do you know of grant funders?
- Donate – All support will go directly to sustaining services
These programs were created by and for our community—and it’s only together that we can advocate to preserve them. Your voice, your connections, and your support can make a critical difference.
With gratitude,
The Galiano Health Care Society
Contact Information for Decision Makers
- Hon. Josie Osborne – HLTH.Minister@gov.bc.ca
- Debra Toporowski – Debra.Toporowski.MLA@leg.bc.ca
- Cynthia Johansen – HLTH.dmoffice@gov.bc.ca
- Leah Hollins – Leah.Hollins@islandhealth.ca; Elizabeth.Prowse@islandhealth.ca
- Kathy MacNeil – CEOExecutiveAssistant@islandhealth.ca
- Rob Botterell – Rob.Botterell.MLA@leg.bc.ca
Suggested Message:
I am a resident of Galiano Island. I am writing to protest the recent Ministry of Health decision to reduce funding to the BC Association of Community Health Centres, with the result that crucial grants to support nursing and mental health outreach services on Galiano were not renewed.
These cuts represent a total loss of over $150,000 in funding for services that have become essential to the health and well-being of our island community. The impact on patients, their primary care providers and the whole community is very significant, potentially devastating for our most vulnerable residents.
I ask that you revisit the decisions that have led to this service cut, and support your staff to work with us to find solutions.