Lək̓ʔəŋən [LEKWUNGEN] TERRITORY / VICTORIA, B.C. — Leader of the BC Greens and candidate for Saanich North and the Islands, Emily Lowan, announced the BC Green Party’s plan to support British Columbians during the mental health crisis.
“The foundation of mental health rests on access to connection, belonging, and basic necessities like income, food, housing, and healthcare,” said Lowan. “But in British Columbia, these foundations have been crumbling.”
“Families who’ve watched someone they love struggle deserve real solutions. But a correctional centre is not a healthcare facility, and B.C.’s Supreme Court has already found that our involuntary care laws need to change. That’s why the BC NDP’s announcement on yet another involuntary care centre yesterday was so troubling”
While nearly 47% of British Columbians who require mental health support are still waiting for help, the mental health crisis across the country is estimated to hold an economic cost of $180 billion. BC’s Mental Health Act has been critiqued as the most outdated mental health legislation in the country and contains an involuntary treatment approach that the BC Supreme Court has recently ruled as unconstitutional.
“Instead of updating a law that has been ruled unconstitutional, the NDP have chosen to rely on that law to target those in poverty who are facing mental health and substance use challenges,” said Lowan. “It’s hard to see the amount of suffering happening on our streets. It makes us feel powerless, frustrated, and fearful, because we don’t see any positive action from our government. The BC Greens believe that the resources we do have need to be directed toward evidence-based solutions that prioritize dignity, safety, human rights, and healing. The BC Greens believe in better.”
The BC Greens will:
- Act immediately to bring BC’s Mental Health legislation into compliance with the Constitution, including strengthening protections around consent, capacity, involuntary treatment, and independent oversight.
- Integrate mental health as the fourth option in 911 emergency services to accommodate mental health crises that do not align with the traditional ambulance, fire or police options.
- Include six visits annually to a mental health professional, such as a psychologist, under the Medical Services Plan (MSP), ensuring early access to mental health support for all British Columbians.
Click here to read our full Mental Health policy brief.
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