The British Columbia government has announced $4.5 million in new funding for Canuck Place to renovate and upgrade the Vancouver children鈥檚 hospice.

Health Minister Adrian Dix says the funding will go toward structural repairs, enhancing patient care rooms, improving ventilation and making it more accessible.

It will also fund the construction of a new administrative building.

Canuck Place was the first children鈥檚 hospice in North America, and Dix says the changes will make a 鈥渞eal and tangible difference鈥� for children, families and health workers.

The minister says construction is expected to be complete by 2025.

Denise Praill, CEO of Canuck Place, says the funding will allow for 鈥渕uch needed鈥� repairs to the facility, which hasn鈥檛 been upgraded since it first opened in 1995.

鈥淭his investment will improve quality, safety and efficiency in care for over 870 children with life-threatening illnesses and their families from across B.C. and the Yukon,鈥� she said Friday (June 2).

The Canadian Press

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