Hospital district approves $159M+ budget for 2026

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The regional hospital district board has approved a $159.09 million budget for 2026. 

During the December 8th Peace River Regional District (PRRD) regional hospital district board meeting, held at the Pomeroy Hotel and Conference Centre in Fort St. John, its 2026 provisional budget was presented and reviewed. 

The one-page budget amounts to approximately $159.09 million. This includes an estimated $6.52 million in new and carry-forward capital project grants, an $18.5 million transfer to the hospital district’s future capital reserve, $4.87 million in debt repayment and $30,000 in administrative costs.

The budget also outlines $129.2 million for the construction of the new Dawson Creek and District Hospital. 

In revenues, the budget noted $24.9 million in tax requisitions from the municipal and electoral area, $10,000 in grants-in-lieu of taxes, $300,000 in investment income and refunds and $4.7 million from transfers from other accounts. 

The remaining $129.18 million for the budget will be acquired from the Future Hospital Reserve, which funds projects for the hospital district including the Dawson Creek and District Hospital. 

After a closed meeting discussion with Northern Health, the board members voted to approve the 2026 budget. 

To read the full budget report, see below.