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Tumbler Ridge Residents Rally for Lost Overnight Emergency Care
27 Sep
Summary
- Residents are protesting the loss of overnight emergency health services.
- Emergency care is only available locally from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. MT.
- The nearest emergency services are a 96 km or 120 km drive away.
Residents of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, gathered on Saturday, September 27, 2026, to protest the lack of overnight emergency health services. The local health centre's emergency services are only available from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. MT, a significant reduction from the previous 24/7 availability that included on-call support.
Northern Health reduced these hours in October 2025, citing doctor shortages, and stated the change was temporary. However, residents report that a year later, overnight services have yet to resume. This leaves the community vulnerable, with the nearest alternatives being Chetwynd, 96 km away, or Dawson Creek, 120 km away.
Physicians emphasize the critical nature of timely care for conditions like heart attacks, noting that such distances pose extreme risks. The community has seen its physician count dwindle from four three years ago to just one, raising concerns about the sustainability of healthcare in the region.
