Port Moody to explore incentives for medical clinics in new developments

With access to primary care becoming a major concern, Port Moody council is exploring the use of development incentives to attract more family doctors and medical clinics.

Council unanimously voted July 21 to direct staff to investigate ways of encouraging doctors’ offices and medical clinics in new developments, including floor space ratio (FSR) exclusions, Amenity Cost Charge (ACC) exemptions or reductions, and potentially making clinic space eligible under the city’s density bonusing program.

Coun. Amy Lubik said that without a family doctor, patients turn to walk-ins, hospitals or virtual providers.

“That doesn’t actually provide an actual continuity of care for chronic disease management and of course that leads to delayed diagnosis, unmanaged conditions which costs a lot, both to our community members and to the system,” Lubik said.

In recent years, soaring commercial lease rates and widespread clinic “renovictions” have made the Tri-Cities increasingly unaffordable for family physicians, forcing some doctors and clinics to relocate or close while worsening the region’s doctor shortage. High overhead costs, combined with physician retirements and limited affordable office space have become major barriers to attracting and retaining family doctors despite growing patient demand.

The motion, introduced by Lubik and Mayor Meghan Lahti, builds on advocacy the city began at the 2025 Union of B.C. Municipalities convention, where Port Moody partnered with Family Doctors of B.C. to promote the inclusion of primary care and team-based medical clinics in new developments.

Lubik said residents consistently raise concerns about whether health-care services are keeping pace with Port Moody’s rapid growth. She said that roughly one-quarter of local residents are currently without a family physician.

While municipalities have limited authority over health care, they can still play a role by creating policies that make it more attractive for physicians to establish practices locally, Lubik said.

The proposal comes shortly after council adopted new ACC and density bonusing bylaws. Lubik noted those policies will be reviewed again, creating an opportunity to consider whether encouraging medical clinics should become one of the community benefits the city seeks from development.

Staff will now examine a range of possible incentives while broader work continues on development policies, affordable housing and attracting health-related anchor tenants.

The motion states that approximately one in five British Columbians lacks a family physician, including an estimated 7,000 Port Moody residents.

Mayor Meghan Lahti said requests for help finding family doctors are among the most common issues residents bring to her office. She said she has met with several physician groups interested in opening clinics in Port Moody, as well as health authority representatives from across the region looking to learn about the city’s efforts to encourage medical space in new developments.

“This is really important to the people on the ground,” Lahti said. “We do a lot for encouraging things like daycares and encouraging affordable housing and other other things that we see as really important assets to bring into the community. One of the biggest things that I have had people come to my office to seek is exactly this.”

Several councillors spoke in favour of investigating the idea while raising issues staff should consider before bringing recommendations back.

Coun. Diana Dilworth recounted spending five years without a family physician before finally finding one whose practice moved several times between Burnaby, Pitt Meadows and Surrey.

While she was able to follow her doctor, she said many residents would not have that flexibility, making it even more important to attract physicians to Port Moody.

“I know that would be very challenging for other people. So incentivizing to provide those spaces here in our local community is something I’m totally behind,” Dilworth said.

Coun. Callan Morrison said any incentives should include safeguards to ensure clinic space remains dedicated to medical use over the long term rather than being converted to another purpose after only a few years.

“I just want to make sure that there is a long-term commitment that comes along with any of those suggested options,” he said.

Coun. Haven Lurbiecki supported the motion but cautioned that municipalities should also pursue solutions that are not dependent on private development to deliver essential community services.

Coun. Samantha Agtarap said any exemptions or financial incentives would ultimately involve trade-offs, since forgone revenue would need to be offset elsewhere. She said the council will need to determine where those investments provide the greatest benefit to residents.

Coun. Kyla Knowles acknowledged that health care remains a provincial responsibility but said working with developers could provide the greatest benefit for residents at the lowest cost to taxpayers while the province works to address physician shortages.

“To say that we shouldn’t be relying on developers for this – I mean, the (other) options are taxpayers or the province, and we know the province isn’t coming through right now,” she said. I would prefer we do that in conjunction with developers, as it would be the greatest benefit to our residents.”

Staff have up to 12 months to report back on the feasibility, costs, legislative considerations and potential implementation of the various incentive options.