PRRD defers scholarship awards for graduates hired by Northern Health

DAWSON CREEK B.C. — The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) has deferred recommendations to award scholarships to recent graduates hired by Northern Health.

If approved, Northern Health would have received $45,000 from the PRRD to be awarded to 18 graduates hired through the health authority’s scholarship program. 

At a committee of the whole meeting on January 25th, the board did vote in favour of discussing the future structure and purpose of the health care scholarship committee at a future meeting. 

Directors expressed concerns referring to the recommendations as a ‘signing bonus’ for graduates already hired. 

“My opinion on it is that it’s a signing bonus, and we don’t do signing bonuses. I don’t think it fits the program,” said director Dan Rose.

Board chair Brad Sperling pointed out that the recommendations would give money back to students who have already graduated.

“They have already completed their courses and would essentially reimburse them,” said Sperling.

The report can be viewed below: