Wednesday Legislature Question Period focus on BC Government's handling of mental illness and addictions concerns

Health and Addictions Minister Sheila Malcolm's faced a barrage
of questions from Opposition members  on themes of how the 
Province is handling issues of Mental Health in BC

The BC Liberal Opposition used much of their time during the Wednesday Question Period to explore themes of the Government's plans approach to Mental Illness and Addictions issues in the province. 

The day very much framed by events across Georgia Strait in Richmond following the Regimental Funeral for RCMP Constable Shaelyn Yang.

The Coquitlam based Constable was killed while on duty attending to a homeless camp situation in the community, her death mourned and her life celebrated in the service held earlier in the day.

The Liberals opened the Question period with questions for Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions speaking towards the role of Police and missing supports for them when it comes to the response to Mental Health and Addiction issues. 

While the Green Party focused on the call for a full review of the Mental Health Act.

Skeena MLA Ellis Ross was one of a number of opposition
members to raise questions Wednesday east to how 
the BC Gov't is handling Mental Health issues in the province

Skeena MLA Ellis Ross also  was engaged in the Wednesday Question Period Debate, Mr. Ross speaking to the topic of Mandatory Treatment for Mental Illness and Addiction.

For the last few years now, we've been listening not only to the citizens of British Columbia talk about the drug crisis we have and the mental health crisis we have in B.C.; we've been listening to the recommendations coming from the reports. 

We've been listening to the minister talking about keeping all options on the table open, so it's clear now that, that's not the problem. 

The problem is that this minister is at that same table and not doing anything — not even doing her job. That's the problem. 

I mean, we can't live through another report, if that's what the minister is thinking. We're talking about mental health. We're talking about violence. We're talking about so many different things that British Columbians have been demanding, begging for — mayors. 

And all we're asking is for the minister to do her job based on the reports that this own government commissioned. We are in a mental health and addictions crisis. We've known that for a few years now. That's why this ministry was created. 

Well, over two years ago the outgoing Premier called a snap election so he could pass legislation enabling mandatory treatment. 

But after that election, the NDP promptly abandoned the idea. The minister ruled out mandatory treatment. Now we have a Premier-designate who suddenly says mandatory treatment is a good idea again. 

Will the NDP please, on behalf of British Columbians, take a clearer position? To the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions: do the NDP support mandatory treatment or not?

The Minister dismissed Mr. Ross's commentary on how she was not doing her job, reviewing for the Legislature a range of initiatives that have been introduced in recent years.

To push back on the NDP Government  narrative to the topic, the Skeena MLA cited a recent Coronrer's review to address the concerns over how the system is currently working.

"So, It's not appropriate to do a victory lap on your failure. 

This is how the coroners death review panel described the minister's system: "A lack of coordinated services, gaps in services delivery, long wait times and eligibility for services inconsistent with peoples' lived experiences." 

That's coming from the coroner. 

And It's going to be a shock to British Columbians that mandatory treatment is now in place in B.C. 

I didn't see any announcements. I didn't see any debate on that. It will be interesting to see the record and where that came up. 

The number of young people that are dying keeps going up in British Columbia. Last year a record 30 young people died, 200 percent higher than in 2016. 

Last week 18-year-old Kylie Walker of Victoria died, and five of her friends overdosed. 

This is what Kylie's great uncle Joe Thorne says: "We need to make it mandatory that they be given treatment now." 

What the minister is doing is not working. 

The question is simple. Will the minister support mandatory treatment, yes or no?"

The full discussion of the Question Period provides a valuable look at how the issue continues to resonate for residents across the province and the very differing views towards how the Government is handling the wide range of issues related to Mental Health and Addictions in BC.

You can review the Full Question Period debate minutes here, as well as  the video archive here, the contribution from Mr. Ross begins at the minute mark.

More notes on the work of the Legislature can be reviewed from our archive.

Our Victoria Viewpoints Archive on our D'Arcy McGee blog features a large number of links towards yesterday's Regimental Funeral for Constable Yang,  a compilation that is well worth a read. 

Highlighting as it does a remarkable young woman's call to Service to community and the tragic and unnecessary death that came from doing her job.

The RCMP have provided for a replay of the Regimental Funeral Service which you can review here.