Pender Island is one of the Southern Gulf Islands of the Salish Sea – or rather, two islands. North and South Pender were separated by a dredged canal in 1905, then reconnected by a one-lane bridge in 1955. Our rural and remote community relies primarily on ferry service to Victoria, with connections to Vancouver (a 2.5-hour trip) and limited inter-island routes. Despite the challenges of geography, we enjoy a vibrant core of commercial services, an elementary/middle school, an active emergency services group, and a remarkable range of volunteer and community organizations – including the Pender Island Health Care Society (PIHCS).
Who We Are
Formed over 40 years ago, PIHCS owns and operates the only medical facility on the islands: the Pender Islands Health Centre. This centre serves about 80% of our 2,800 residents and becomes even more vital in summer, when our population more than doubles with visitors and seasonal residents.
The Health Centre consists of two buildings: a 6,600 square-foot main building and an adjacent 1,200 square-foot ambulance station staffed by a full-time British Columbia Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) crew. Inside, you’ll find the medical clinic, urgent treatment room, phlebotomy laboratory, community, and public health nurses (who serve other islands as well), a dentist, chiropractor, community support services office, part-time massage therapists, an audiologist, plus offices for PIHCS staff.
PIHCS is a registered charity governed by an active board, supported by 0.8 full-time equivalent (FTE) Executive Director, 1 FTE Assistant Executive Director, and 0.9 FTE Facility Manager.
Medical Services
Our community is fortunate to have a full complement of providers: 2.5 FTE physicians and 1.8 FTE nurse practitioners. Physicians are contracted through Island Health’s Alternative Payment Plan (APP), while nurse practitioners are Island Health employees. The medical clinic and urgent treatment room are in constant demand, with about 20% of providers’ time dedicated to urgent care.
Pender physicians also participate in the After-Hours Call Group for the Outer South Gulf Islands (excluding Saturna), ensuring residents and visitors can access care outside clinic hours.
Funding the Centre
PIHCS funding comes from diverse and often fragile sources. Programs include:
- Healthy Aging for Seniors – funded by United Way British Columbia (UWBC).
- Mental Health Services – supported by the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) and small, competitive grants.
- Exercise and Urgent Care Programs – funded through smaller grants and contracts.
In 2021, 84% of residents voted in favour of a property tax levy to support the Health Centre. In 2025, this levy will generate $272,500, which can only be used for administrative and maintenance costs – not for capital expenses or direct support of primary care. Rent from allied health providers, BCEHS, and Island Health contributes additional income, while major maintenance and capital costs are covered by grants and donations, averaging $150–200,000 annually.
The Challenges
Despite strong community support, PIHCS faces serious funding gaps. As an emerging Community Health Centre (CHC), we receive no Ministry of Health strategy funding. Overhead payments of $75,000 per physician FTE and $70,000 per nurse practitioner FTE fall short of actual clinic operating costs. This leaves a deficit of more than $150,000 annually when rent and urgent treatment space are included.
We have made our concerns clear to Island Health, the Ministry of Health, and the Rural and Remote Division of Family Practice (RRDFP) and have engaged our Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), Rob Botterell. Without sustainable funding, the future of our successful, community-driven model is at risk.
Looking Ahead
PIHCS is participating in the Salish Sea Primary Care Network (PCN) Proposal alongside Mayne, Galiano, and Saturna. While we value collaboration, the PCN framework is largely urban-focused and fails to address rural realities such as shared services, housing, transportation, and the essential role of volunteers. Reliable, recurrent core funding is essential if rural community health centres like ours are to thrive.
Despite these challenges, PIHCS remains committed to innovation, advocacy, and delivering care that meets the needs of our unique community. Our story is one of resilience, collaboration, and determination – values at the heart of the Gulf Islands and rural BC.
You can see more on their website at https://penderislandhealth.org/
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