New investments in the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) for sonography and cardiovascular perfusion programs will mean more graduates and better health care for people in British Columbia.

Students, health-care workers and patients have been calling on government to increase sonography training across the province for years, and we are answering that call with new and expanded programs in Northern B.C., Vancouver Island and now the Lower Mainland.

Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training, said investing in BCIT so more students can train for dynamic and rewarding health-care careers and deliver the high-quality care British Columbians rely upon.

Government is investing a total of $2.5 million. Funding of $880,000 will support the expansion of BCIT diagnostic medical sonography and cardiovascular perfusion programs.

Capital funding of $1.6 million will allow purchase of the necessary sonography equipment.

Eight first-year seats were added to the existing 32 sonography seats in September 2019. Another eight first-year seats will be added in 2020 for a total of 48 first-year seats.