Province rules out repurposing Cowichan District Hospital

North Cowichan demands answers after Health Minister Josie Osborne rejects conversion proposals

Province rules out repurposing Cowichan District Hospital Published 11:04 am Friday, July 17, 2026 The provincial government has ruled out repurposing Cowichan District Hospital once it is replaced in 2027, prompting North Cowichan council to demand an explanation. The 60-year-old hospital on Gibbins Road is scheduled to be replaced by Quw’utsun Valley Hospital on Bell McKinnon Road in 2027.

In her June 29 letter, Josie Osborne, minister of Health, said the hospital, built in 1967, “has reached the end of its functional life and is not being considered for alternate uses.” That prompted a strong reaction from North Cowichan council at its July 15 meeting. “If the province truly believes this property is beyond saving, then let’s have them sell it to us for a dollar,” said Coun.

Bruce Findlay. “Then we can do what they apparently can’t, which is turn a publicly paid for apparently end-of-life asset into a future municipally owned, restored asset to help those most in need. If they’re not interested in helping our most vulnerable, then get the hell out of the way and let us do it.”

On Dec. 1, 2025, Cowichan Valley Regional District leaders asked the province to consider converting the hospital into an addiction treatment, recovery and psychiatric care centre for people with severe mental health and substance-use challenges. North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas also raised the idea directly with Premier David Eby in June, suggesting the site could be be repurposed for involuntary care. Osborne rejected that proposal as well, writing that “this is not a viable option.”

However, she said the Ministry of Health is working with Island Health and a senior medical adviser on another southern Vancouver Island location for beds serving people with severe mental health and substance-use challenges that would be available to residents across the Island. Douglas responded publicly on July 13, saying he was disappointed by the province’s decision. “I recognize that the hospital is an aging facility and that any future treatment centre would require upgrades, investment, and thoughtful planning,” he said.

“However, this is a facility that continues to serve our community as a regional hospital, providing care to thousands of patients every year. Given that reality, I believe our community deserves a clearer understanding of why this option has been ruled out.” He urged the province to reconsider, “before moving away from an opportunity that could help address one of the most urgent health challenges facing our region and our province.”

Douglas also argued that repurposing the building would make fiscal sense. “During these times of growing fiscal pressures on all levels of government, making the best possible use of existing public assets is both a practical and responsible approach,” he said. Douglas noted in his discussions with Eby, the premier acknowledged the high cost of constructing new facilities and said the province is looking for opportunities to repurpose existing public assets.

“We’ve got this existing facility. It’s not as though the building’s been shuttered for years,” Douglas said. “It’s clear the facility has deteriorated with deferred maintenance but it’s still in use and if you went there right now you’d have a hard time finding a parking spot because it’s so busy,” he added.

“Given that you’d think there’d be a way to repurpose it.” Duncan Mayor Michelle Staples, who co-signed the original request to the province, said Osborne’s response was disappointing but not unexpected. “It’s not surprising as it’s much of what we’ve been hearing over the years we have been broaching this subject with the province and Island Health given the state of the old hospital,” Staples said.

“It is disappointing — of course — any publicly funded land or building should be considered for repurposing for the needs we have outlined.” Osborne’s letter appeared on North Cowichan council’s July 15 agenda. Council unanimously backed the repurposing proposal last fall, and members said their position has not changed.

“The idea that a building like this shouldn’t or couldn’t be repurposed with some basic upgrades is insane,” said Coun. Bruce Findlay. Council authorized Douglas to write to the province again seeking a more detailed explanation.

“If there’s a very strong rationale for why they can’t consider our proposal, they should explain it to us,” Douglas said.