National

B.C. promises $3M to expand program that partners cops with health-care providers

Darpan News Desk IANS, 17 Jul, 2023 12:33 PM

British Columbia is spending $3 million to expand a program that partners health-care workers with police to respond to mental-health-related calls.

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says the program aim is to connect people in crisis to the appropriate services in their community and take pressure off stretched police resources.

Our government is taking action on the biggest challenges we face to keep people and communities healthy and thriving. pic.twitter.com/oYbhtyOlPy
— Mike Farnworth (@mikefarnworthbc) July 17, 2023

New teams are being funded for Abbotsford, Port Coquitlam/Coquitlam, Burnaby, Chilliwack, Penticton, Vernon, Squamish, Prince Rupert and the Westshore on southern Vancouver Island.

Similar programs already exist in 10 B.C. communities including Kamloops, Victoria, Surrey and Vancouver.

The government says one in five interactions with police in B.C. involve someone with a mental-health disorder.

Minister of Mental Health and Addiction Jennifer Whiteside did not provide a specific timeline for when the new programs would be running, but says she anticipates them in “fairly short order.”

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. woman killed at resort in Mexico

The woman has been identified by family members as Kiara Agnew from Dawson Creek, B.C. Mexican prosecutors have confirmed the woman was found dead Friday, adding he is in custody and possible charges are being considered.

B.C. woman killed at resort in Mexico

Two skiers survive separate avalanches in B.C.

The Avalanche Canada website says both events happened Saturday and each one involved a fully buried skier who was saved because of the quick work of others in their group. Both victims had to be airlifted to hospital after smashing against trees and suffering various injuries while being swept along by the snow.

Two skiers survive separate avalanches in B.C.

Death in Maple Ridge deemed suspicious, victim identified as Surinderjit Singh

The victim has been identified as 55-year old Surinderjit Singh of Maple Ridge. Mr. Singh’s death is not believed to be related to the Lower Mainland gang conflict. Initial evidence suggests that Mr. Singh arrived at the location at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Friday.

Death in Maple Ridge deemed suspicious, victim identified as Surinderjit Singh

Vancouver to end status as 'living wage' city

The city says in a statement that the living wage rate for 2023 would have gone up more than 17 per cent to just above $24 per hour, immediately influencing its pay structure. A statement posted by the group Living Wage for Families calls Vancouver's decision "incredibly disappointing."

Vancouver to end status as 'living wage' city

Coquitlam RCMP seek additional victims or witnesses in unprovoked assault with a pellet gun

The victims were walking on Glen Drive when the suspect males walking behind them shot both their legs with more than a dozen pellets. The victims suffered minor injuries. The suspects fled on foot east-bound on Glen Drive in Coquitlam.

Coquitlam RCMP seek additional victims or witnesses in unprovoked assault with a pellet gun

VPD investigates Granville Street triple stabbing

Three men, all in their early 20s, got into a verbal altercation in the west lane of Granville Street at Nelson just before 7:30 p.m. The argument escalated and turned violent, resulting in all three being stabbed. The men were taken to hospital by ambulance and are expected to survive.