FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
Kitimat, BC — The District of Kitimat has launched the first financial incentive designed to attract healthcare professionals to the community.
In 2024, the District of Kitimat developed a strategy to help attract and retain healthcare professionals. The Kitimat Healthcare Professionals Attraction and Retention Strategy was adopted with several key recommendations to boost the number of healthcare professionals in Kitimat. Kitimat Council approved the first-year budget of the program, which is funded through a partnership.
To help deliver the strategy, the District hired a dedicated Health Recruitment Coordinator (HRC). Over the past several months, the HRC has worked closely with local healthcare employers and organizations to form a Healthcare Working Group, which provided valuable feedback in shaping the incentive program. Guided by its terms of reference, the group will continue collaborating on additional incentives and the broader strategy.
“The District has been a long-time supporter of the healthcare sector in Kitimat,” says Kitimat Mayor Phil Germuth. “We recognize the challenges in recruiting healthcare professionals and want to give them even more reasons to make Kitimat their home. By bringing new healthcare professionals into Kitimat, this portion of the program not only addresses immediate vacancies but also strengthens long-term retention by building a more stable and supported healthcare workforce.”
The program offers up to $20,000 in financial rewards for healthcare professionals who fill a vacancy or join a local practice. Applications are now open and will be reviewed beginning September 15, 2025. The incentive applies retroactively to January 1, 2025, and is set to run for three years, with a review planned based on uptake.
Additional initiatives are also in development, including retention and training incentives, housing allowances, and welcome packages. These measures aim to make Kitimat an even more attractive destination for healthcare professionals and are expected to roll out by the end of the year.
“This program addresses key gaps in healthcare recruitment locally,” says Rob Goffinet, Chairperson of the Kitimat Health Advocacy Group. “The Working Group’s input helped ensure the incentive supports professionals who are new to our community, and we’re pleased to see this program launched.”
For full details, including the Program Guidelines and the Kitimat Healthcare Professionals Attraction and Retention Strategy visit the District of Kitimat’s website at www.kitimat.ca/reports.
For More Information:
Walsham Tenshak
Director of Economic Development, District of Kitimat
250-632-8900 ext. 2255
wtenshak@kitimat.ca
WRITTEN BY:
Brandon Wirsz
