Local advocacy groups and other people in opposition to plans by both the BC NDP and the Conservative Party of BC to expand involuntary care for people with brain injuries, mental illnesses and severe addictions held a protest rally at the Prince George courthouse Friday at noon.
The rally was attended by approximately 40 people, many protesting in support of loved ones who suffer from or have been lost to mental health and drug abuse.
In mid-September, BC NDP Leader David Eby said that if re-elected the NDP would change the law to "provide clarity and ensure that people, including youth, can and should receive care when they are unable to seek it themselves."
Eby told a news conference in Vancouver that involuntary help would be aimed at people struggling with overlapping addictions, mental illness, and brain injury concerns who are not able to ask for help for themselves.
Conservative Leader John Rustad has also expressed support for involuntary care.
Speakers at the rally stated that the involuntary care plan will do more damage to an already marginalized group of people.
Several other organizations have also spoken out on the inadequacies of the proposed changes to the Mental Health Act.
Protesters called for a provincial review of the current Mental Health Act and not to initiate involuntary care, stating that it will cause more harm than good.
With files from Ashley Joannou, The Canadian Press
