A provide-wide call to tackle public safety and the mental health and addictions crisis is about 91裸聊视频渆xtending a hand and helping make a difference91裸聊视频� says Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 mayor.
Tom Dyas joined mayors from 10 other municipalities, and representatives from Lower Mainland First Nations and law enforcement groups in Vancouver on Monday (Sept. 16) demanding action from the federal government.
The coalition has three priorities, including provincial mandatory care with federal support.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 not about restricting their freedoms,91裸聊视频� Dyas said in an interview with Black Press Media. 91裸聊视频淭here are many individuals within our community who are fighting battles with mental health and addictions without enough care for them to be treated properly.91裸聊视频�
On Sept. 15, Premier David Eby announced the NDP will open facilities (over 400 beds) to provide involuntary care under the Mental Health Act for those with severe addictions who are mentally ill and have sustained a brain injury.
Dyas noted the province needs substantially more beds.
91裸聊视频淥ur region alone could probably use about half of that,91裸聊视频� he said.
Eby announced that the first site will open at the Alouette Correctional Centre in Maple Ridge, and there are plans to expand throughout the province. Dyas said there is a correctional facility in the Okanagan that might be suitable.
91裸聊视频淭hat91裸聊视频檚 probably going to be an ask for us moving forward into discussions,91裸聊视频� he added.
The coalition also asked for bail reform in dealing with repeat property crime offenders.
91裸聊视频淲e have substantial occurrences of that in our community,91裸聊视频� Dyas said, referring to the 20 offenders responsible for more than 3,500 RCMP files in Kelowna. 91裸聊视频淲e know these are unsheltered individuals.91裸聊视频�
The mayor added there may be options to combine bail reform and involuntary care.
91裸聊视频淧otentially91裸聊视频o see if these same individuals are in need of the care we91裸聊视频檙e speaking of in the first priority.91裸聊视频�
Dyas said municipalities are limited in what they can do to address individuals suffering from mental health and substance issues and pointed out that senior government needs to do its part.
91裸聊视频淭hat is the Mental Health Act provincially, and federally legislation that changes the laws around repeated offenders91裸聊视频o the RCMP can deal with them appropriately and it91裸聊视频檚 not a continual hamster wheel with them going into court and the court putting them back on our streets.91裸聊视频�
The third priority for the coalition calls for a federal plan to secure B.C. ports to stop the flow of illicit drugs from and the export of stolen vehicles.
The mayor is meeting with Eby and speaking on a panel addressing the coalition's concerns at the Union of BC Municipalities Convention in Vancouver on Sept. 17.
