VICTORIA, B.C. – The BC Greens are calling on the Province to stand down Bill 32, The Mental Health Amendment Act, until the Ministry of Health conducts proper consultation, can clearly demonstrate how this bill impacts the administration of involuntary treatment, and how it is intended to protect health care workers.
“The Health Minister’s statements, through a week of legislative debate, present conflicting information about Bill 32’s intent,” said Jeremy Valeriote, MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky.
For decades, Section 31(1) has been interpreted as deemed consent for involuntary treatment. Now, the Ministry of Health is arguing it is—and has always been— “a liability shield” for health care workers.
But the Minister’s characterization of this bill is different from government records from 2005 until March 2025 that state that it allows anyone with authority to treat involuntary admitted patients—without defining who actually has that authority.
“We’re concerned Bill 32 is incomplete, and actually could expose healthcare workers to increased liability, instead of increased protection,” added Valeriote. ”If this bill is pushed through by Thursday, healthcare workers won’t know how to obey the law on Friday. They heavily rely on Section 31 in guidance documents and forms for involuntary admission, and updating these operational documents right before the Christmas holidays is certain to disrupt care.”
The BC Greens continue to call for a complete overhaul of the Mental Health Act.
“A review of this archaic Act is currently underway – we should pause all legislation until it is complete. The government has not demonstrated the need for this change at this time,” said Rob Botterell, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands. “This Act is also under scrutiny in BC’s Supreme Court. Both sides of the court case have asked for a six month stay on proceedings, so there’s absolutely no reason to rush Bill 32 through without consulting those it impacts.”
Healthcare workers and people with lived experience have not been properly consulted on this legislation. Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy Vancouver, Doctors for Safer Drug Policy, Northern Peer Guardians, Coalition of Peers Dismantling the Drug War, Care Not Cops, Harm Reduction Nurses Association, Disability Justice Network of B.C., Weaving Our Worlds & P.O.W.E.R. voiced their concerns with Bill 32.
“The ongoing court case challenging the constitutionality of sections of BC’s Mental Health Act is fundamentally about legislation that needs better safeguards in place, to ensure that people get treated who need it, and are treated with dignity when they receive care,” said Valeriote. “With any changes to a system so complex and consequential, you need a clear plan. The amendments under Bill 32 have been pulled together hastily, with minimal consultation and conflicting explanations of its intent.”
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Media Contact
Ryan Hook
Press Secretary
BC Green Caucus
+1 250-882-6187 | ryan.hook@leg.bc.ca