B.C. backs Vancouver involuntary-care proposal, Eby says

Premier David Eby says the B.C. government supports establishing secure involuntary-care beds in Vancouver, one of two issues Mayor Ken Sim plans to put before voters in a fall municipal-election plebiscite.

One proposed question asks whether the city should formally request that the province convert part of the existing St. Paul’s Hospital building, or a similar site, into a secure involuntary-care facility. Eby said the province has been looking for a Vancouver location for that type of care and questioned whether a plebiscite was needed.

Ravi Kahlon, newly appointed as health minister, said he is prepared to work with Sim or whoever is elected in October to bring involuntary-care beds to the city. He also questioned the value of putting the issue to a public vote.

Sim has suggested the aging St. Paul’s site as a short-term option. The idea has drawn skepticism because of the value of the downtown land and because it has already been sold to a developer to help finance a replacement hospital near Main Street and Terminal Avenue. Sim called it the most turnkey option available.

The second question asks whether voters support strengthening Vancouver laws to prohibit open-air use of heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl and crack cocaine in public places. ABC party members approved the questions at an emergency meeting, while Green mayoral candidate Pete Fry and councillors Sean Orr and Rebecca Bligh walked out in protest.