A review by respected auditor Ron Parks reveals that the cost of the Abbotsford P3 hospital has almost doubled to $1.4 billion, while questions remain about who assumes the risks of the project and how it can possibly deliver value for money.
The report, commissioned by the Hospital Employees Union, shows project costs have increased by 94 per cent, lease payments have almost doubled and $393 million in debt-servicing money cant be accounted for.
HEU is calling for cancellation of the project, especially after one of the two developers still in the race to build the new hospital, Healthcare Infrastructure Company of Canada, withdrew its bid. That leaves Access Health Abbotsford alone in bidding for the project, making a sham of the process.
One bidder means no competition, says HEU spokesperson Chris Allnutt. The government should stop wasting time and money, should scrap this hospital P3 proposal and build a public hospital now.
With only one bidder and no consideration being given to a public option, the Fraser Valley Regional Health Authority is cutting short the tendering process, with a view to beginning construction in September.
To learn more, visit www.heu.org