VICTORIA, BC: Conservative MLAs Claire Rattée, Critic for Mental Health and Addictions, and Elenore Sturko, Critic for Solicitor General and Public Safety, are calling on the Premier of British Columbia, David Eby, to listen to the words of his Solicitor General and order a full systemic review of how mental healthcare is handled in this province.
During thoughtful debate on the 2025/26 budget, where public safety and mental healthcare were discussed, the Minister of Public Safety Garry Begg stated: “A couple of comments before I continue. First of all, I agree with you that we need a systemic review of the system, and there are multiple parts to the system. I think we acknowledge that as government. I think when we speak of gaps in the system that pre-exist, we have to come to terms with that. My expectation, although I have no assurance of this, is that part of the review will look at those tools that are missing and attempt to correct the issue because of the emergent need for chronic care for some people in society.”
Conservative MLAs reacted to this statement: “It was nice to hear a senior minister acknowledge the fact that BC needs a full review of mental healthcare,” said Sturko, “by looking into how our current patchwork of services function across multiple ministries and identifying where gaps exist, we can build a true system of care. However, by merely reviewing the legislation alone, the government will have an incomplete understanding of whether its application is working or not as part of the overall system.”
“These gaps are not theoretical, they are deeply human and often tragic,” said Rattée. “We are talking about people who need long-term, secure care, but instead are left to cycle between hospitals, shelters, jails, and the streets. The Minister is right: This is a systemic issue. A review of just the Mental Health Act won’t come close to addressing the breadth of the crisis.
“This government must launch a full, independent review of our mental healthcare system, including housing, access to treatment, and supports for people with complex and chronic conditions, so that British Columbians can finally get the care they deserve.”
The Conservative Caucus will continue to hold the NDP government accountable for the severe mental healthcare failures in the context of the mental health and addictions crisis currently affecting communities across the province.
