Premier David Eby has announced more involuntary care beds for people facing complex mental health and addiction challenges.
A total of 100 additional involuntary care beds will be built in facilities in Prince George and Surrey.
Ebay made the announcement on the final day of the Union of BC Municipalities convention.
The announcement comes after several municipalities have increased calls for help addressing an increase in public disorder, crime and homelessness.
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According to a survey by Business Improvement Areas of BC, which was published at the end of August, nearly one-fifth of BC businesses said it may not be financially viable beyond next year if issues around street disorder don’t improve.
Prince George recently lost a beloved community brewery to a fire.
A repeat offender was arrested after the fire, triggering criticisms of “the NDP’s soft-on-crime policies” from three area MLAs.
Premier Eby noted that existing buildings have been identified for the two new sites, allowing them to be operational more quickly, a news release from the City of Prince George said.
This is the third announcement from the province for involuntary care beds opening.
At the end of April, the province announced that 10 new beds would open at the Surrey Pretrial Services Centre.
In June, another 18 beds were announced at Alouette Homes in Maple Ridge.
Both those projects were announced last September.
