Community photo at Centennial park signals growing momentum for healthcare close to home.
SAANICHTON, BC – Residents, patients, physicians, and neighbours from across the Saanich Peninsula came together in the multi-sport box at Centennial Park on Saturday, March 7, for a community photo organized by Shoreline Medical Society, providing visible support for stronger local primary care.
The turnout reflected a community that knows the stakes: roughly one in five Peninsula residents is still without a family doctor or nurse practitioner. Many have been waiting years.
The afternoon was part celebration, part call to action, with a physician-led community walk, family activities, and a barbecue hosted by the Central Saanich Lions. Shoreline physicians and staff, patients, and representatives from Family Doctors for Saanich were joined by neighbours of all ages.
Leslie Keenan, Executive Director of Shoreline Medical Society, reflected on what the turnout means:
“The strength of the community gathering to support this event reflects how deeply people care about accessing health care close to home and their belief in Shoreline.”
The event had its share of memorable moments. At one point during the photo MP Elizabeth May turned to the crowd and exclaimed: “Shoreline saved my life!”
Representatives from every level of government and multiple Peninsula municipalities attended, including MLA Rob Botterell, Sidney Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith, Saanich Councillors Colin Plant, Teale Phelps-Bondaroff, and Karen Harper, Sidney Councillor Terri O’Keeffe, North Saanich Councillor Sanjiv Shrivastava, and Central Saanich Councillor Sarah Riddell.
Shoreline Medical Society is an independent charitable non-profit providing team-based primary care to more than 16,000 patients across the Saanich Peninsula. Its physicians are essential to the broader local health system, covering hospital shifts at Saanich Peninsula Hospital and delivering maternity, palliative, and long-term care throughout the community.
Founded nearly ten years ago, Shoreline was only the second charitable non-profit primary care organization of its kind in Canada and today is recognized as a model for community-led primary care.
Shoreline also operates the Peninsula’s only Youth Clinic, providing free, confidential medical, mental health, and sexual health services for young people aged 12–24. The clinic provided more than 400 appointments last year, but demand continues to outpace capacity.
Saturday’s event reflects growing momentum as Shoreline explores the feasibility of opening a third clinic on the Peninsula. Community support will shape what comes next.
To learn more or support Shoreline’s work, visit shorelinemedical.ca/together/
Photo Credit: Megan Ravenhill/Ravenhill Photography
