Why would the Ministry of Health Services spend $800,000 on land it does not own?

Spencer Herbert MLA for Vancouver-West End got confirmation that the MHS is paying taxes on land on Station Street (near Pacific Central Station) that the Esperanza Society, a non-profit society owns. Providence Health Care states that it has an option to purchase the land the Esparanza Society owns. The plan to purchase the land on the Station Street was part of PHC “legacy project” to redevelop St. Paul’s. PHC launched the project back in 2002 and patients at the hospital are still waiting for a plan for the renewal of the hospital.

Below is quote from yesterday’s Budget estimates that confirms that the MHS spends $800, 000 on land that a private society owns which has never had any capital plan approved by Cabinet at a time when many Health service worker are losing their jobs and services are being cut.

S. Herbert: Just a quick question for the minister. I’m wondering if he can tell me what budget amount is currently being spent to keep the lands down by Station Street. The Esperanza Society, I believe, holds them, and I’ve heard that the government is paying the taxes for those lands. If you could give me that figure, and also if you could give me an update about where we are in the process to revitalize St. Paul’s Hospital on site in the West End, as I’ve been calling for, for some time.

Hon. K. Falcon: The property taxes that are being covered for the lands that are owned by the Esperanza Society are in the amount of approximately $800,000 annually.

S. Herbert: Just the second part of my question for the minister: where are we in the process to revitalize St. Paul’s Hospital on site, and can I get some assurance that it will happen in the West End?

Hon. K. Falcon: I’m advised by staff that it’s still very early days in terms of contemplating the role that St. Paul’s will play within the larger context of the entire Vancouver Coastal Health region.

This is something that certainly is near and dear to my heart, as my mother worked at St. Paul’s for some 25 years as a nurse. But again, I’m advised by staff that this is still very, very early on. We continue to have discussions with the health authority and with Providence Health Care as we look to the future and determine what is the best way to deliver top-quality health services for the Vancouver area.

A. Dix: I’m not sure how early on it is in the process which started in 2002, but you know, we’ll take that to mean that it’s going to be a long process.

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