Premier David Eby addressed mayors and other delegates Friday at the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Victoria.
His speech to local officials from across the province closed out a week that was dominated by discussions of mental health, addictions and homelessness.
“People deserve to feel safe in their communities in every corner of the province,” said Eby, acknowledging the frustrations of many local officials who have called on the province to step up action on these issues.
Eby announced two more involuntary care sites for people with severe mental illness are coming to Prince George and Surrey.
He didn’t provide details about the sites but said they will add around 100 more involuntary care beds.
The province has about 2,100 involuntary care beds already, including at two secure facilities in Surrey and Maple Ridge.
Earlier this week, a group of B.C. mayors and other local officials rallied on the steps of the legislature to call on the province to do more to address the interconnected issues that lead to street disorder.
The rally was organized by the advocacy group Save Our Streets. Several mayors called for an expansion of secure involuntary care.
Eby told reporters after his address the province’s focus has been on trying to identify pre-existing sites that already have facilities that could be used for involuntary care. He more details on the new sites are coming “shortly.”
Premier Eby draws protests at UBCM
Eby’s remarks Friday also drew protests. His speech was interrupted briefly when one delegate stood up, shouted “shame” and accused the premier of failing to denounce the war in Gaza before walking out of the hall.
Eby remained silent while the man was escorted out.
Outside the Victoria Convention Centre, climate protesters set up a large inflatable likeness of Eby hugging two smokestacks with the words: “Eby: Invest in People, NOT Polluters.”
A few dozen people gathered at the demonstration, which targeted the B.C. government’s support for expansion of liquefied natural gas and other fossil fuel projects.
“I value the opinions of all British Columbians,” Eby told reporters later Friday. “They want us to ensure that low-carbon future, and I’m committed to that too.”
