West Vancouver Mayor Mark Sager and North Vancouver District Mayor Mike Little joined Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and other B.C. mayors in a press conference today to call for immediate federal action to address the mental health and addictions crisis and public safety issues across the province, Sept. 16, 2024.
“Addressing mental health and addiction isn’t just about policy; it’s about changing lives,” Sager said. “A comprehensive federal strategy that supports mandatory care offers a vital lifeline to the thousands in our province who are struggling and need our help the most.”
Little emphasized the importance of government collaboration in ensuring community safety. “Our communities are stronger when all levels of government work together,” he said. “By addressing public safety concerns on our streets and at our ports, as well as supporting mental health initiatives, we can build a safer, healthier future for all who call B.C. home.”
The coalition of mayors outlined three key areas where they demand immediate support from the federal government:
- Provincial Mandatory Care and Federal Support: A call for mandatory care to address severe mental health and addiction crises, with urgent federal legal and financial support to the provinces.
- Meaningful Bail Reform for Repeat Offenders: Reform of bail conditions to keep repeat offenders, who threaten public safety, off the streets.
- A Federal Plan to Secure Ports: A national strategy to secure ports in Vancouver and the region, aiming to block the flow of illicit drugs and the export of stolen vehicles.
Mayor Sim emphasized that the coalition’s primary goal is to enhance public safety and well-being across British Columbia. “We can no longer accept the status quo when the current system is broken. Vancouver, and other towns and cities across this province and country, deserve to be places where people are safe and supported, and where families can thrive,” Sim said.
The mayors were joined by other local leaders, including Delta Mayor George Harvie and Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley, in urging the federal government to take swift action on these pressing issues.
