British Columbia Premier David Eby has decided to close the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions and make it part of the Ministry of Health. Josie Osborne will lead this important ministerial portfolio.
The disappearance of the ministry, created in 2017, is one of the notable changes in the unveiling of the new Cabinet on Monday. A parliamentary secretariat, held by Amna Shah, will however be dedicated to the specific issue of mental health and addictions.
David Eby said providing mental health and addictions treatment infrastructure and resources across the province was a challenge within a separate ministry.
The results of the last election also showed that the overdose crisis and its impact on communities was a priority for voters, the premier said.
We take this very seriously. We will continue to redouble our efforts to keep people safe from overdoses and keep communities safe.
A quote from David Eby, Premier of British Columbia
For the Conservative MP for Surrey South, Elenore Sturko, this merger rather represents a desire by the New Democratic Party (NDP) to hide its failures.
She condemns the pilot project to decriminalize small quantities of drugs, and advocates an approach focused on recovery rather than on safe supply.
For her part, the general director of RésoSanté, Nour Enayeh believes that mental health remains a health issue. However, she is surprised to see the ministry abolished, given the scale of the overdose crisis.
Perhaps this is an approach that will ensure that follow-ups are carried out with health in general, rather than being completely separate. I would be very curious to see how this will be handled.
A quote from Nour Enayeh, general director of RésoSanté
New Health Minister Josie Osborne has said she will do everything she can to tackle mental health and addiction issues, working across government departments.
She said she heard warning signs on the campaign trail from health care workers and families whose loved ones are struggling with addiction issues.
I am here to serve them and to devote myself entirely to this work, she said.
In British Columbia, six people a day die from overdoses. The province declared a state of health emergency in 2016 to respond to this crisis, which has since worsened.
With information from Anaïs Elboujdaïni
Q: Can you give us an insight into the rationale behind Premier David Eby’s decision to merge the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions with the Ministry of Health? How do you anticipate this change will impact the delivery of mental health and addiction services in British Columbia?
Q: The disappearance of the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions has drawn mixed reactions from political figures and healthcare professionals. What role does the Conservative MP for Surrey South, Elenore Sturko, see the new government taking on health issues like the overdose crisis? How does her perspective compare to others in the field?
Q: Mental Health is now officially classified as a health issue, according to the latest Cabinet announcement. How does Nour Enayeh, general director of RésoSanté, feel about this development? What changes does she foresee in the way mental health is addressed within the broader healthcare system in BC?
Q: As the new Health Minister, Josie Osborne has stated her commitment to tackling mental health and addiction issues. How does she plan to approach these challenges differently from her predecessors? What specific steps is she taking to address the ongoing crisis of overdose deaths in BC?
Q: The overdose crisis in BC is among the most severe in the country. What measures has the province taken so far to address this issue, and how will these efforts evolve under the new government? What role can citizens play in reducing overdose deaths in their communities?
