Premier says existing buildings found for two new centres, goal is to establish similar facilities around the province
Premier David Eby announced B.C. has identified sites for two new facilities for the involuntarily housing of patients experiencing severe mental illnesses.
Prince George and Surrey will host the facilities, with about 100 more beds in total. This adds to two existing units, one at the Surrey pretrial centre and the other at the Alouette correctional centre.
“We are working to do this in every region of the province, so people get treatment and care and dignity close at home in ways that make them safer, in ways that make the broader community safer as well,” Eby said.
Eby announced the units in a speech at the Union of B.C. Municipalities conference on Friday, Sept. 26.
The conference opened on Monday, with a session in which community leaders, including the CEO of a large Victoria shelter, spoke in favour of increased involuntary care to address mental health and addiction issues that are leaving people with severe mental illness roaming the streets.
Then on Wednesday, a group of mayors gathered in front of the B.C. legislature to urge the province to do more to stem street disorder in their municipalities.
More to come.