Political Timing and Public Safety Concerns in Involuntary Care Policy

Last week, days before the British Columbia election was called, Premier David Eby announced a new plan for mental health and addictions care. B.C. already has involuntary care as part of the Mental Health Act — but this would allow it for people with concurrent addictions, mental illness, and brain injuries. This move has wide support among British Columbia’s political leadership — but civil rights advocates are pushing back. 

Andrea Woo is a B.C.-based reporter for the Globe who has reported extensively on the toxic drug crisis. She’s on the show to talk about the possible impact of this announcement, and why we’re hearing about it now.

Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com