BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities demand, in order to address lack of accountability, that the Province of British Columbia implement an ongoing process to engage local citizens and their MLAs in health care delivery and expected outcomes.
MINISTRY OF HEALTH The British Columbia government launched an extensive public consultation between September 2006 and September 2007 called the Conversation on Health. The findings of the Conversation were published in Fall 2007, and government is considering the options that are most appropriate given the feedback from the public. The health authorities are required by the Health Authorities Act to hold public meetings. Each Health Authority through its bylaws sets out how it will meet with the public through board meetings. Fraser Health Authority The Fraser Health Board meets regularly throughout the year. The public is welcome at all public board meetings and may make presentations to the board providing that they have been booked in advance. In addition, the Fraser Health Board holds occasional Town Hall meetings to receive increased public input on an issue. Interior Health Authority The Interior Health Board generally meets six times a year with each Board meeting taking place in a different community. All board meetings are open to the public and public presentations can be made at the discretion of the board. Generally, public submissions should be provided to the board in advance of the board meeting. Northern Health Authority The Northern Health Board meets approximately every two months in regular session, with an open board meeting and public presentation session at all regular meetings. The board ensures that one meeting per year is held in a Northeast community with another in a Northwest community. The remaining meetings are held in the Northern Interior, usually in Prince George. Provincial Health Services Authority The Provincial Health Services Board has six pre-scheduled meetings a year. Opportunities will be provided to the public to make presentations to the Board before or after the conclusion of the regular Board meeting. In addition, the Board will respond to written questions from the public for thirty minutes before every open board meeting. Vancouver Coastal Health Authority The Vancouver Coastal Health Board holds three Open Board Meetings each year. These meetings include both formal and informal discussions with the community. Vancouver Island Health Authority The Vancouver Island Health Board has five scheduled meeting for 2007. Each meeting is being held in a different community. The general meetings of the board are open to the public. A written request is required to make a presentation or ask a question to the board.