The BC NDP says it will invest up to $90 million to establish involuntary care beds at the Okanagan Correctional Centre in Oliver.
In the announcement on Friday morning, the party says that if it is re-elected, this facility will become part of the network of involuntary care centres across the province for people experiencing severe mental health and addiction challenges, along with complex brain injuries.
There are already involuntary care centres operating in Surrey and Maple Ridge, and new facilities are set to open in Surrey and Prince George.
The BC NDP pledged to expand voluntary treatment across the province and stated that 35 Foundry centres are open or on the way, including in Kelowna, Penticton and Vernon.
These centres have provided mental health and addictions services to more than 84,000 youth since 2019.
“As a Kelowna City Councillor, I’ve seen two clear truths: families are desperate to save their loved ones, and everyday people want to feel safe in our public spaces,” Loyal Wooldridge, BC NDP candidate for Kelowna Centre said in a statement.
“Walking by someone in total crisis and doing nothing isn’t freedom; it’s a clear sign we need to take more action.”
Harwinder Sandhu, BC NDP candidate for Vernon-Lumby, is also a health-care professional.
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“I’ve seen firsthand the need for safe, appropriate care for those facing complex challenges, which makes them unable to make decisions for themselves,” she said.
“We’re committed to building both voluntary and involuntary care options so people can get the right help, at the right time, in the right place.”
In a release, Gavin Dew, Conservative Party of BC candidate for Kelowna-Mission, said they have been calling for this mandatory care at the correctional centre for years.
“David Eby had every chance to listen, and he failed to act,” Dew said.
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“So what changed? Not the crisis, and not the need. The only thing that’s changed is that David Eby is losing an election.”
Dew said the party welcomes the announcement, but it wasn’t Eby’s idea.
Kristina Loewen, Conservative Party of BC candidate for Kelowna Centre, said there is nothing compassionate about leaving someone with severe addiction or mental illness on the street, or leaving their family too powerless to help.
“Real compassion means a full spectrum of care: detox, voluntary treatment, rehabilitation, and secure, medically supervised care when someone can’t make safe decisions for themselves,” she said. “The goal is to help people get well, bring families back together and make our communities safer.”
“Municipal leaders, health care professionals and families across the Okanagan have been saying this for years, and so have we. I’m glad David Eby is finally listening. It shouldn’t have taken an election campaign.”
In July, B.C.’s Supreme Court ruled that sections of the Mental Health Act that allowed for “involuntary care” for people with severe mental health and substance issues are unconstitutional.
The Council of Canadians with Disabilities challenged B.C.’s approach to involuntary psychiatric treatment, arguing it violated charter rights.
The B.C. Supreme Court agreed, ruling the Mental Health Act gave hospital directors what it called blanket power to impose psychiatric treatment.
The lawsuit did not challenge involuntary admission.
A day late and a dollar short, Putz.
This is literally the first and ONLY thing the lawyer and parasite David Eby has done since being illegally chosen to lead this sick joke of a political party. An absolute waste of time and space, all being served while British Columbians suffer through this manufactured cost of living crisis…truly a disgusting human being.
A drastic change is needed and BC has not forgotten what the liberals bring, thanks eternally to Crispy Clarke for showing us CLEARLY what the liberals are all about.
Shame on the NDP…you chose to do NOTHING to help BC.
Aj…sounds like ypu failed at fatherhood….better luck next time.
If they start actually tossing people in there. Awesome. I know a great place to hide the key that no one will ever find it.
To the person who says druggies win again. Really?? If you haven’t had a son or daughter who for had issues with crack ,which is highly addictive, then I think you need to sit back and think about being more compassionate and less hurtful in your words.
Those on the street who are homeless, are our brothers and sisters. When my son was alive,he was homeless for awhile.He dealt with health issues and drug addiction. The Burnaby mental health and addictions is only short term. We need facilities built for people who have these issues for long term care.They may need to be there for years. They need to be shown love and compassion and to help them in different facets so to help them be able to learn coping skills and other important skills. It’s a life long struggle for these people.
Then you got this …. ‘It’s terrible’: Comox seniors home loses all meal and laundry service
What the hell !! The druggys win again
This would be a great idea but the people of BC have learned you just can’t believe anything Eby says or promises.
Apparently there are empty cells in multiple corrections centres. Is this the plan? Law off guards, allow cells to sit empty by releasing those who belong in them, back onto the streets so the ndp can claim they have this brilliant cost effective idea? Good grief.
Look at all the promises coming from Eby. Didn’t he have years to fix these things and didn’t? Didn’t he make promises last election that he never fulfilled, ie $1000? Don’t vite NDP again.
Great idea round up all the addicts on the DTES and ship them to the Okanagan and hey presto our problem becomes someone else’s.
David Eby should have been locked up while he was there.
End this madness – Vote OneBC!
Grasping at straws now as he sees the end is near for him!
BC Conservative 80 seats NDP 3 green 10
but hey eby wasting money on a sky train to langley and ubc, could put that to better use, health and seniors raise the taxes for union workers
a little too late you clown
The NDP has been asleep at the switch on this issue for 6 years, and now that the election is 1 week away we get an announcement? BC cannot possibly vote for these NDP fools again.