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- calendar_today November 6, 2026
Union Renews Push for Hospital Helipad in Prince George
The absence of an on-site helipad at Prince George's main hospital is being called into question after a northern British Columbia bus crash resulted in multiple injuries. The union representing paramedics says that establishing a helipad could be the 'difference between life and death' in emergency situations throughout the region.
Recent Bus Crash Highlights Need for Improved Emergency Response
On Wednesday, a shuttle bus carrying workers to a data centre in Mackenzie skidded off an icy highway and into a ditch, resulting in 20 people being transported to hospitals. One patient required immediate helicopter transport, while others were initially driven to hospital in Mackenzie and later flown to Prince George for advanced treatment, as reported by B.C. Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) and Northern Health.
Time-Sensitive Transfers Impacted by Lack of On-Site Helipad
The University Hospital of Northern B.C. (UHNBC) in Prince George is the only major regional trauma and referral centre in the province without an on-site helipad. Currently, air ambulances and helicopters must land at Prince George airport, around 15 kilometres from the hospital. Ian Tait, spokesperson for Ambulance Paramedics of B.C., emphasized the urgency, stating, "Since every helicopter or air ambulance has to land at the airport, it does then entail an additional transfer of a critical patient from the airport to the hospital, which is then a delay in time. [For] critical patients that time could be the difference between life and death."
Community and Political Leaders Seek Provincial Commitment
Local leaders have repeatedly called for the province to include a helipad in the ongoing expansion of the Prince George hospital. During recent Union of B.C. Municipalities meetings, northern B.C. representatives requested that the NDP government allocate funds for the helipad. While there was initial provincial commitment to the project, recent redesigns have not included a helipad on the hospital campus. Cost is a central issue, with estimates of $5 million for a ground-level helipad compared to $50 million for a rooftop version.
Kiel Giddens, MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie and a member of the incoming B.C. Conservative government, stated the helipad will be among the issues he investigates. He highlighted the importance of efficient trauma care for the vast Northern Health region.
Cellphone Coverage Remains a Challenge for Rural Emergency Response
Giddens also praised the coordinated response to the bus crash, which included volunteer firefighters and RCMP, but underscored ongoing issues with communications infrastructure. Many residents have expressed concern about limited cellphone coverage along transportation corridors, a problem that was evident during the recent incident but did not ultimately hinder the emergency response this time.
Tait echoed these concerns, noting that while other communication methods exist, cell service in rural British Columbia can be unreliable. Provincial data shows that approximately 38 percent of B.C.'s highways lack cell service, with limited access to reliable power cited as a primary obstacle to improvements.
Next Steps for Helipad Construction and Emergency Services
The continued calls for an on-site helipad at the University Hospital of Northern B.C. reflect a broader push to strengthen emergency medical infrastructure in northern and rural communities. With both local advocates and provincial representatives engaged, the issue remains a live topic as hospital expansion plans proceed.
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Source: cbc.ca.
