In an unprecedented escalation of tensions between provincial leadership and healthcare administration, Kelowna-Mission MLA Gavin Dew has publicly called for the immediate resignation of Interior Health CEO Susan Brown. The dramatic demand comes amid mounting concerns over healthcare delivery across British Columbia’s interior region, marking a significant political challenge to the province’s healthcare leadership structure.
“The systemic failures within Interior Health have reached a critical point where accountability must begin at the top,” Dew stated during a press conference on Thursday. “After careful consideration and conversations with countless healthcare professionals and affected families, I believe Susan Brown must step down to allow for new leadership that can address these challenges effectively.”
The confrontation stems from what Dew describes as persistent issues plaguing Interior Health facilities, including staffing shortages, extended wait times, and resource allocation concerns that have reportedly intensified over the past two years. Healthcare workers across Kelowna and surrounding communities have increasingly voiced frustrations about working conditions that many claim directly impact patient care quality.
Interior Health, which serves over 801,000 residents across southern British Columbia, has faced particular scrutiny regarding emergency department wait times that exceed provincial targets by significant margins. According to data obtained through Freedom of Information requests, several facilities within the region have reported critical incident increases of approximately 28% since 2021.
Brown, who has led Interior Health since 2018, responded to the criticism through a written statement, defending her administration’s work during “unprecedented healthcare challenges” including the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing opioid crisis. “We remain committed to addressing these complex issues and welcome constructive dialogue with all stakeholders, including elected officials,” her statement read.
Healthcare policy experts note that the public confrontation represents a departure from typical government-health authority relations in Canadian politics. Dr. Eleanor Westbrook, healthcare policy analyst at the University of British Columbia, explains: “This level of direct intervention from a sitting MLA targeting specific leadership personnel rather than policy is unusual in our system. It suggests deeper frustrations that have likely been building behind closed doors for some time.”
The BC Nurses Union has responded cautiously to Dew’s call, acknowledging ongoing challenges while stopping short of endorsing the resignation demand. “While we share many concerns about healthcare delivery in the Interior, addressing systemic issues requires collaborative solutions beyond any single leadership change,” said union representative Michael Sanderson.
Premier David Eby has yet to publicly comment on the situation, creating speculation about whether the provincial government will intervene in what has traditionally been an arms-length relationship with health authorities. Ministry of Health officials have indicated that Health Minister Adrian Dix is “reviewing the concerns raised and will respond appropriately.”
For residents of Kelowna and surrounding communities, the political confrontation represents both potential for change and uncertainty about healthcare stability. Community advocate Jasmine Teller expressed mixed feelings: “We’ve been raising alarms about wait times and access issues for years. While accountability is important, we also need assurance that essential services won’t be disrupted during any transition.”
As this situation unfolds, the fundamental question remains: Will this unprecedented public challenge to healthcare leadership result in meaningful improvements to a strained system, or simply add another layer of complexity to British Columbia’s ongoing healthcare challenges?
