VICTORIA, B.C. – The BC Green Caucus is deeply concerned by the government’s decision to expand youth involuntary treatment under the outdated Mental Health Act.
“Involuntary treatment is a slippery slope — legally, ethically, and clinically,” said Jeremy Valeriote, MLA for West Vancouver–Sea to Sky. “Even the Minister of Health acknowledged that questions remain about whether this practice is constitutional. The risks of harm are significant, and forcing young people into treatment can further erode their trust in the health system.”
The BC Greens say the Province should be strengthening voluntary care, not expanding involuntary detention. Only 11 rights advisors serve the entire province, even as the government plans to detain more people under the Mental Health Act. The BC Office of the Human Rights Commissioner, the Ombudsperson, the Representative for Children and Youth, Health Justice, and the Canadian Mental Health Association have each raised concerns about involuntary treatment without a human rights approach. We agree.
The government has not done the work to prove involuntary treatment even works. A study involving over 1,000 men in mandated treatment found that more than 96% relapsed after undergoing involuntarily treatment.
“This government is not providing the evidence and is not supporting — or listening to — the very people responsible for implementing its policies,” said Rob Botterell, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands. “By directing resources toward involuntary treatment, they are diverting funding away from evidence-based voluntary services that actually help people. If the goal of this government is to end uncertainty for those struggling with mental health and addictions issues, then it is failing.”
Valeriote added that the BC NDP has failed to deliver on its own promises, including commitments to place counsellors and psychologists in every BC school.
“We’re watching this government double down on one of the most harmful and restrictive forms of treatment. For some youth, involuntary treatment may be their first introduction to the mental health care system. How is that instilling trust in the system if you are being forcibly treated?” said Valeriote.
“The least restrictive care is also the least costly — and the most effective. The BC NDP’s move to expand involuntary treatment is a clear acknowledgment that it has failed to build a continuum of mental health supports over the past eight years.”
The caucus also notes that BC’s involuntary treatment regime is currently before the courts, with its constitutionality and human-rights record under scrutiny.
“Rather than pause and wait for direction from the courts, the government is plowing ahead with a piecemeal, reactionary expansion of involuntary treatment,” Botterell said. “If the BC NDP believes they must expand coercive treatment, it raises serious questions about how voluntary services are functioning under their watch. It’s an indictment of the health system and the government’s handling of mental health.”
The BC Greens are calling for comprehensive reform of the Mental Health Act — a commitment the government has made repeatedly but has not publicly reported any progress on.
“When people reach out for help, they deserve the right care at the right time,” Valeriote added. “But after years of chronic underinvestment, BC still lacks an accessible, evidence-based voluntary mental health system. Expanding involuntary treatment won’t fix that — it will only make things worse.”
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Media Contact
Ryan Hook
Press Secretary
BC Green Caucus
+1 250-882-6187 | ryan.hook@leg.bc.ca