Commissioned by the Hospital Employees' Union (CUPE) and released today at a Vancouver media conference, Parks’ review also warns that the privatization study prepared for Victoria by consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers relies on “suspect data”, is inconclusive and “should not be used as the basis for a definitive government decision,” on how to proceed with the project to replace Abbotsford’s aging MSA hospital.

“If Victoria wants to pursue a private-public partnership (P3) policy for health care or public infrastructure projects,” says Parks, “it definitely has a lot more homework to do.”

The Hospital Employees' Union (HEU) is urging the Campbell Liberals to heed Parks’ findings and move quickly to meet the health care needs of Fraser Valley residents. “Our message to the Premier is very clear,” says union spokesperson Chris Allnutt. “The hospital should be built public, and it should be built now.”