Next week's B.C. budget could bring $1B for mental health and addictions: report
B.C.'s NDP government will deliver its 2023 budget next Tuesday, the first with David Eby at the helm – and a new report suggests there will be big spending on mental health and addictions.
Business in Vancouver reports a billion-dollar plan is coming, and it will provide more treatment and recovery beds, as well as an elimination of user fees.
Premier David Eby said it was an area of "vital importance" when asked about the funding Tuesday.
"We believe mental health and addiction services are part of a public health-care system and work to expand those services for British Columbians will continue," he told reporters at the legislature.
B.C. was the first province with a supervised injection site, overdose prevention places, and to decriminalize small amounts of street drugs. Still, the province is leading the country in toxic drug deaths. More than 11,000 people have died sinc e public health emergency was declared in 2016.
Deb Bailey's daughter Izzy died of an overdose in 2015. She says for years, advocates, the chief coroner, and other experts have asked for the same things -- access to safer supply, and a more robust and regulated treatment and recovery system.
"I worry about those not in treatment, not in recovery, who go back to the streets and buy toxic drugs and die," she told CTV News in an interview.
PLAN SIMILAR TO LIBERAL STRATEGY?
Earlier this month, Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon unveiled a $1.5 billion plan that he called a "radical shift." One that included free treatment, and more beds across the province.
Liberal critic Shirley Bond said it appeared the government was 'scrambling' to get the plan approved.
"People have been losing their lives. So, when we look at the opioid crisis in this province it's about time the government actually did something," Bond said.
Eby didn't comment directly on the similarities between the Liberals' proposal and the leaked NDP plan. For weeks, he's fielded criticism from the Opposition that the NDP is too focused on harm reduction, and not enough on ensuring immediate access to treatment for those who want and need it.
"The goal is always to get people into treatment, to get them the opportunity to restart their lives. The fact that we have alignments on that with the BC Liberals across the aisle is very good news," Eby added.
With two very similar strategies -- whether any of the ideas are borrowed perhaps a moot point. Nearly seven years into the crisis -- both sides of the aisle have fielded criticism of not treating the overdose crisis -- like the emergency it is.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Canada Post’s newest stamp features special cookies for Islamic holiday
Canada Post’s newest specialty stamps feature “melt-in-your-mouth” desserts to mark two Islamic festivals, the crown corporation announced Thursday.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
A dog and a bird formed an unlikely friendship. Their separation has infuriated followers
Peggy is a stout and muscular Staffordshire bull terrier, and Molly is a magpie, an Australian bird best known for swooping on humans during breeding season, not for befriending dogs. But in an emotional video posted online, Peggy’s owners announced that the animals had been separated.
Statistics Canada reports real GDP up 0.6 per cent in January as Quebec strikes end
Canada's real gross domestic product grew 0.6 per cent in January, helped by the end of public sector strikes in Quebec in November and December, Statistics Canada said Thursday.
Ukrainian child asylum seekers in St. John’s get class of their own
Roughly 50 children will gathered in a St. John’s classroom for the first time on Saturday for unique lessons on Ukrainian language, culture and history.