Parksville council hopes to speak with B.C.'s minister of health to discuss specific progress on the implementation of mental health and addiction resources for people aged 18 to 28 years old.
Coun. Sylvia Martin raised the idea during council's May 21 meeting, and her resolution would see the city request a meeting with Josie Osborne at the upcoming UBCM that would also ask for a commitment to provide adequate supports in each health region as a matter of urgent priority.
“This is a really serious motion for us in Parksville,” Martin said. “I really do think if we take something to UBCM, to the minister, with all the information she’ll have, that this will be very worthwhile for all of us.”
Martin brought a resolution to the AVICC (Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities) convention in April, which asks the provincial government to provide improved resources and facilities for youth mental health and addictions services, specifically targeted at people aged 18 years old to 28 years old.
That resolution was approved at AVICC and will automatically be on the agenda at the UBCM convention this fall.
Martin said the province's lack of mental health and addictions services is a growing problem, and her resolution asks the province to report out on deliverables and results of expenditures on mental health and addictions supports for youth.
She has received support from MLA Stephanie Higginson, councillors from other communities and Official Opposition Critic for Mental Health and Addictions Claire Rattée.
If the meeting with Osborne is granted, Parksville councillors will likely be joined by Higginson and senior city staff such as Keeva Kehler, chief administrative officer.
Mayor Doug O'Brien suggested councillors consider which additional issues they would like to have Osborne address at the meeting, and Parksville can include them as separate requests.
The UBCM convention is set for Sept. 22 to Sept. 26 in Victoria. UBCM provides an opportunity for local governments of all sizes to meet, share their experiences and take a united position on issues, according to the UBCM's website.
