Councillor Pardeep Kooner Leads Surrey Initiative to Fast-Track Urgent and Primary Healthcare Clinics

SURREY, BC — Surrey City Councillor Pardeep Kooner (Surrey Connect) brought forward an initiative to expedite municipal development permits and provide zoning waivers for primary care clinics and urgent medical centers.

Municipal Support for Primary Healthcare Access

Recognizing severe patient backlogs at Surrey Memorial Hospital's emergency department, Councillor Kooner’s motion directs city staff to create an expedited 'Priority Healthcare Permit Queue' for medical practitioners establishing family practices, pediatric clinics, and urgent care hubs in Surrey.

Councillor Kooner stated that while healthcare delivery is primarily a provincial mandate, municipal government must remove bureaucratic red tape that delays doctors from opening community clinics in Guildford, Newton, and Fleetwood.

Intergovernmental Collaboration with Fraser Health

The policy directs city administration to coordinate directly with Fraser Health Authority and local divisions of family practice to identify priority locations near public transit lines.

Local medical associations commended Surrey City Council for taking proactive municipal steps to attract healthcare professionals.

Implementation Guidelines

The expedited healthcare permitting framework takes effect across Surrey planning offices immediately.