Mayors push to turn Oliver correctional centre into mandatory care facility

Okanagan city officials, including First Nations mayors, are urging the B.C. government to transform the vacant space at the Okanagan Correctional Centre in Oliver into a secure and mandatory care facility. This demand comes as regions across the province struggle with drug, mental health, and social disorder issues. "The demand keeps escalating each day," stated Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas.

Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield emphasized the importance of providing assistance to those in need, urging compassion rather than leaving individuals on the streets. Mayor of Oliver Martin Johansen acknowledged the center operates well below its 401-cell capacity, noting it is far from full. The call for change arises as the province faces mounting pressure to tackle the interconnected challenges of addiction, mental health, and public safety.

Bloomfield cautioned that inaction could lead to serious repercussions, including loss of life and increased suffering. The province's health minister, Ravi Kahlon, clarified that converting part of the facility into a mandatory care site involves more than just altering the space. He emphasized that it requires a comprehensive infrastructure to support the necessary care services, including the presence of healthcare professionals to provide the required assistance.

This push for action will continue at the upcoming Union of B.C. Municipalities convention, where municipal leaders from the region will meet with provincial ministers to advocate for the proposed use of the Oliver correctional centre. For the Okanagan mayors, this convention presents a crucial platform to present their proposed solution directly to provincial decision-makers. Mayor Johansen expressed confidence in the viability of this approach.