Nanaimo Council Rejects Support Letter for Proposed Health Centre Amid Neighbourhood Concerns

A plan to expand primary care access in Nanaimo has stalled after city council declined to endorse a new community health centre proposed by AVI Health & Community Services.

AVI, which has provided health services in Nanaimo for more than 25 years, hoped to secure a letter of support from council for its funding application. The group’s proposal would add two family doctors, a nurse practitioner, and three registered nurses to its existing clinic on Victoria Road, connecting as many as 2,700 patients to consistent primary care.

“We’ve got a significant opportunity to address what is really an observable primary care attachment gap,” said Corey Ranger, AVI’s clinical director. Ranger noted that the clinic currently serves about 705 patients, many struggling with mental health and substance use issues, and that the expansion would open access to more residents across the city.

Concerns Over Location

But during Monday night’s meeting, councillors voiced unease about the project’s location in Nanaimo’s south end, where multiple social service agencies already operate — including the Island Crisis Care Society and the Nanaimo Family Life Association.

Mayor Leonard Krog said the neighbourhood has “suffered far more than any other,” pointing to concerns from residents about open drug use, vandalism, and street disorder.

“I’m just not prepared to inflict this on this neighbourhood,” Krog said. “We already know the incredible suffering that’s taking place.”

Coun. Erin Hemmens questioned whether residents would travel to the area for family care, adding, “I cannot imagine someone from my neighbourhood wanting to see their family physician at 55 Victoria Road.”

Supporters Say Services Are Essential

Four councillors supported the motion, including Hilary Eastmure, who argued the expansion would address an urgent need for health access.

“These are really important front-line health services,” Eastmure said. “If people in the immediate neighbourhood don’t wish to access them, many others across Nanaimo would.”

But the 4–4 tie vote meant the motion failed to pass.

Next Steps

Ranger said AVI remains hopeful and plans to continue community engagement to address concerns.

“It just means we have more work ahead of us,” he said. “We need to bring people into the space and demystify what these services really are.”

An estimated 20,000 people in Nanaimo are currently without a family doctor.