Whereas local governments are facing increased pressures to address immediate, emerging and persistent social issues in their local communities that impact the safety, security and well-being of residents; And whereas the provincial government does not respond as quickly as needs arise, forcing local governments to take increased action to address community mental health and substance misusetoxicity challenges with limited and often inadequate resources: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the Province of British Columbia to commit to provide adequate, ongoing, and direct funding for mental health and addictions services in order to support local government needs for community safety.
Ministry of Health When people are in mental health crisis, they need quick compassionate support that meets them where they are at. As part of the Provinces Safer Communities Action Plan, government has expanded CRCL teams Crisis Response, Community-Led; formerly known as Peer Assisted Care Teams and Mobile Integrated Crisis Response MICR teams across the province. CRCLs are mobile mental health crisis response teams that provide an alternative to police-only crisis response for calls that do not involve violence or criminality. These teams help free up police resources to focus on crime. MICRs are staffed with police officers and mental health professionals specifically available to support people experiencing mental health and substance use crisis in the community and connect them with appropriate health care services. Currently, five CRCLs North and West Vancouver, New Westminster, Victoria, Prince George, and the Comox Valley are supporting individuals in crisis, connecting them to services, while diverting calls away from police. In 2024, these teams responded to 5,882 calls and only 1.3 percent needed to be escalated to police. Eighteen MICR teams also known locally by various names, including Car Programs are operating in communities across BC Abbotsford, Burnaby, Chilliwack, CoquitlamPort Coquitlam, Fort St. John, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, North Vancouver, Penticton, Prince George, Richmond, Squamish, Surrey, Vancouver, Vernon, Victoria, and the Westshore to support individuals through de-escalation, clinical assessment, andor connections to appropriate services. In July 2024, Dr. Daniel Vigo was appointed Chief Scientific Adviser to provide advice and recommendations on how to support people with severe mental health, addiction and brain injury. In September 2024, Premier Eby and Dr. Vigo announced initiatives to provide compassionate care and ensure safety for this vulnerable population and their communities. Key developments include the establishment of secure, dignified long-term care under the Mental Health Act in regional facilities, with the first site opening in Maple Ridge in Spring 2025 and further expansion planned across the province, prioritizing local patients. Additionally, a dedicated mental health unit has been created within a provincial correctional centre. The first one is a 10-bed facility at the Surrey Pretrial Correctional Centre which opened April 24, 2025. It will provide more rapid access to treatment for individuals in custody facing these challenges.