The BC NDP says it will invest up to $90 million to establish involuntary care beds at the Okanagan Correctional Centre in Oliver.

In the announcement on Friday morning, the party says that if it is re-elected, this facility will become part of the network of involuntary care centres across the province for people experiencing severe mental health and addiction challenges, along with complex brain injuries.

There are already involuntary care centres operating in Surrey and Maple Ridge, and new facilities are set to open in Surrey and Prince George.

The BC NDP pledged to expand voluntary treatment across the province and stated that 35 Foundry centres are open or on the way, including in Kelowna, Penticton and Vernon.

These centres have provided mental health and addictions services to more than 84,000 youth since 2019.

“As a Kelowna City Councillor, I’ve seen two clear truths: families are desperate to save their loved ones, and everyday people want to feel safe in our public spaces,” Loyal Wooldridge, BC NDP candidate for Kelowna Centre said in a statement.

“Walking by someone in total crisis and doing nothing isn’t freedom; it’s a clear sign we need to take more action.”

Harwinder Sandhu, BC NDP candidate for Vernon-Lumby, is also a health-care professional.

“I’ve seen firsthand the need for safe, appropriate care for those facing complex challenges, which makes them unable to make decisions for themselves,” she said.

“We’re committed to building both voluntary and involuntary care options so people can get the right help, at the right time, in the right place.”

In a release, Gavin Dew, Conservative Party of BC candidate for Kelowna-Mission, said they have been calling for this mandatory care at the correctional centre for years.

“David Eby had every chance to listen, and he failed to act,” Dew said.

“So what changed? Not the crisis, and not the need. The only thing that’s changed is that David Eby is losing an election.”

Dew said the party welcomes the announcement, but it wasn’t Eby’s idea.

Kristina Loewen, Conservative Party of BC candidate for Kelowna Centre, said there is nothing compassionate about leaving someone with severe addiction or mental illness on the street, or leaving their family too powerless to help.

“Real compassion means a full spectrum of care: detox, voluntary treatment, rehabilitation, and secure, medically supervised care when someone can’t make safe decisions for themselves,” she said. “The goal is to help people get well, bring families back together and make our communities safer.”

“Municipal leaders, health care professionals and families across the Okanagan have been saying this for years, and so have we. I’m glad David Eby is finally listening. It shouldn’t have taken an election campaign.”

In July, B.C.’s Supreme Court ruled that sections of the Mental Health Act that allowed for “involuntary care” for people with severe mental health and substance issues are unconstitutional.

The Council of Canadians with Disabilities challenged B.C.’s approach to involuntary psychiatric treatment, arguing it violated charter rights.

The B.C. Supreme Court agreed, ruling the Mental Health Act gave hospital directors what it called blanket power to impose psychiatric treatment.

The lawsuit did not challenge involuntary admission.