Trail Mayor Colleen Jones has written to Premier David Eby calling on the provincial government to reverse the planned closure of the publicly funded lab at the Trail Health Centre.
In a letter dated June 17, Jones outlines concerns on behalf of city council and residents regarding the decision to transfer outpatient lab services to LifeLabs, a for-profit, American-owned company contracted by the B.C. Ministry of Health.
Jones says the closure undermines the integrated, team-based model of the soon-to-open Trail Community Health Centre, and risks fragmenting care just as the new facility opens.
She also raises issues of public accessibility, especially for seniors and residents without vehicles, noting that transit service to the new Waneta Plaza location may not be adequate.
The letter outlines broader concerns including the erosion of public healthcare, data privacy, rural inequity, and a lack of public consultation.
The mayor asks the province to reconsider the closure, review the decision’s alignment with recent provincial policy, and clarify how similar changes will be handled in other communities. Below is Mayor Jones' letter, which also been sent to local MLAs.
RE: CLOSURE OF TRAIL HEALTH CENTRE LAB AND EXPANSION OF SERVICES TO FOR-PROFIT AMERICAN-OWNED PROVIDER
Dear Premier Eby,
I am writing to express serious concerns on behalf of Trail City Council and the residents of our region regarding the recently announced closure of the Interior Health-funded lab collection site at the Trail Health Centre, and the full transition of outpatient lab services to LifeLabs, a for-profit, American-owned company operating under contract with the Ministry of Health until 2031.
The decision to eliminate a publicly funded, locally trusted collection lab in Trail and expand services through a private provider has caused significant distress in our community. The announcement, made late on a Friday afternoon, left the public without an immediate way to seek clarification, fuelling confusion and frustration over the weekend.
This decision also directly contradicts the Province’s recently stated policy direction. In April, you publicly encouraged public sector authorities to end contracts with American firms where possible and to prioritize Canadian and BC-based providers in response to U.S. tariffs and trade tensions. Shutting a public IHA lab and increasing reliance on a U.S.-owned company’s service delivery model runs counter to that directive.
We acknowledge that no job losses are expected, that Interior Health has committed to a supported patient transition, and that the Waneta Plaza location may offer improved accessibility. However, the broader implications of this move must not be overlooked:
Integrated Care Undermined at the New Trail Community Health Centre
Adding to our concern is the fact that the IHA lab slated for closure is located within the Trail Health Centre building soon to house our brand-new Community Health Centre (CHC).
This facility was created to support team-based, wraparound care: connecting patients with physicians, nurse practitioners, mental health supports, and other allied services in one accessible location. The vision was to eliminate barriers and streamline care not send patients to multiple, disconnected providers across the city.
Closing the on-site lab undermines that vision. Instead of a “one-stop” healthcare experience for residents, we now risk fragmenting care just as the new CHC is opening. Both patients and health-care providers were counting on having lab collection services remain within the centre to ensure continuity, convenience, and responsiveness to medical needs.
Access Cannot Be Assumed Without Transit Support
While we’ve been told that the new location at Waneta Plaza may offer improved parking and accessibility, these benefits assume that people can get there. I must ask: will BC Transit be adjusting routes and schedules to support seniors, people with disabilities, and vulnerable residents particularly at a time when service reductions are already happening in our community?
We cannot overlook the reality that many residents do not drive and rely on public transit to access essential services. For these individuals, this move introduces new barriers, not fewer. Accessibility isn’t just about curb ramps and elevators, it’s about making sure people can actually reach the care they need.
Key Concerns Raised by Our Community
- Erosion of Public Health Care Delivery
This decision sets a concerning precedent by transferring core diagnostic services away from publicly operated infrastructure to a for-profit model. Residents see this as a quiet step toward privatization, particularly troubling in rural communities where service options are limited.
- Data Privacy and Cross-Border Ownership
Trail residents are justifiably concerned about where their personal health data is stored and who can access it. Although provincial law requires that data be kept in Canada, the ownership structure of LifeLabs raises long-standing privacy concerns. Transparency and accountability are essential to maintaining public trust.
- Rural Inequity and Public Confidence
It is troubling that the Trail lab was chosen for closure, while IHA-funded labs in nearby Rossland and Castlegar remain unaffected. Residents want to understand the rationale and decision-making process behind this move and why public consultation was absent.
Rural British Columbians deserve publicly delivered, locally accountable health care.
The people of Trail are not opposed to change but we expect transparency, fairness, and decisions that align with stated provincial values and policy.
I respectfully request that your government:
• Reconsider the closure of the IHA-operated Trail Health Centre lab.
• Review the alignment between this decision and the Province’s directive on reducing reliance on American-owned contractors.
• Provide clarity on how similar decisions will be handled in other communities moving forward.
We remain committed to working with Interior Health and the Province to ensure Trail continues to receive equitable, high-quality, and publicly accountable health care.
I would welcome an opportunity to meet with you or Minister Josie Osborne to discuss this further.
Sincerely,
Mayor Colleen Jones
City of Trail
