Today, we are sharing an important update regarding Options’ clinic program funding, and to express our sincere gratitude for the continued support, advocacy, and partnership you have shown over the past year.
We have now received the Ministry of Health’s decision regarding our clinic program funding. While our base funding will increase, the funding provided will unfortunately not be sufficient to maintain all of our directly managed clinics. As a result, Options will be required to close 11 of our clinics beginning in March 2026.
At this time, the clinics scheduled to close in March 2026 include:
- Abbotsford
- Nakusp
- Grand Forks
- Kelowna
- Lumby
- Mission
- North Delta
- Salmon Arm
- Squamish
- Surrey
- Trail
More details about the final date of each clinic will be provided on our website.
Although this is not the outcome we had hoped for, we recognize that we are operating in a challenging fiscal environment where many organizations are experiencing reductions to core funding. We are grateful that this funding increase allows us to continue operating many of our clinics – 19 directly managed clinics and our telehealth service – and to continue to support our affiliate clinics and community partners across the province.
We acknowledge and appreciate that this funding increase represents meaningful recognition by government of the essential sexual health services our clinics and staff provide to communities across BC. At the same time, after many years of stagnant funding, a significant gap remains between what is required to sustainably operate our clinics and what has been allocated.
Options is actively working to support patients through this transition. We have added additional community-based sexual health resources to our website to help patients access care in their local areas. This resource is available here and we encourage you to share this resource broadly to help support continuity of care for those who rely on our services. Clinics will also assist patients over the next two months in finding community resources as needed.
During this time of change, we want to pause and express our deep appreciation. We are profoundly grateful to our patients, who place their trust in us and remind us every day why accessible, compassionate sexual health care matters. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our staff and volunteers, whose dedication, professionalism, and care continue to sustain our services, even in moments of uncertainty. We are also deeply thankful to our community partners and supporters, whose collaboration, advocacy, and commitment strengthen sexual health care across the province.
Thank you for standing with us during this challenging time, and working with us towards a world that honours sexuality and its diversity. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions, concerns, or would simply like to connect.
With gratitude,
Tiffany Melius
Executive Director