Dawson Creek requests review into universal mental health care in British Columbia

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — The City of Dawson Creek has submitted a request to the province for a review into universal mental healthcare. 

The City of Dawson Creek sent a letter to Minister of Health Josie Osborne on June 8th requesting “an independent expert-led review” of universal mental healthcare in the province. 

The letter said the request has been brought forward in the wake of the February 10th shooting in Tumbler Ridge, which killed nine people, including the suspect. 

“This devastating event has prompted renewed reflection on mental health supports, early intervention pathways and system coordination across British Columbia,” the city said. 

“As communities grieve, we also share a responsibility to strengthen preventive mental health systems to help reduce the likelihood of future tragedies,” the letter read. 

The city said that, in light of the concerns mentioned, it “respectfully” requests that the province initiate an “independent, expert-led review” to examine the feasibility and design of universal, publicly funded mental health care in British Columbia. 

According to the city of Dawson Creek, communities across the province continue to face “substantial barriers” in accessing timely mental health care, which includes limited clinical capacity, long wait times, and “fragmented” service pathways.

The city also said communities have been relying on private insurance and out-of-pocket payments for counselling and psychological services. 

“When accessible mental health supports are unavailable, pressure shifts downstream to emergency services, policing, community safety systems, homelessness response and other municipal services,” the city said.

“Local governments throughout the province are increasingly managing the visible impacts of upstream health system gaps.” 

According to the city, a review would provide clear, evidence-based options for implementing universal mental health care, administered through the public health care system, including counselling and psychological services without eligibility barriers or session limits. 

“This request is not a proposal for immediate program implementation or a predetermined funding commitment,” the city said. “Rather, it seeks an independent, evidence-informed review to support thoughtful provincial discussion and future policy consideration.” 

In a statement provided to Energeticcity.ca, the Ministry of Health said it thanks the City of Dawson Creek for its letter and for advocating for increased mental health services in the community.

The Ministry of Health said the province launched “A Pathway to Hope” in 2019, a roadmap to improve mental health and addiction care for people in British Columbia.  

Since 2019, organizations have provided over 360,000 counselling sessions, along with 72,000 people accessing counselling for the first time, according to the ministry. 

The ministry said it has been expanding urgent and primary care centres throughout the province and providing more primary care support.

“This includes treatment and recovery, life-saving harm reduction measures, aftercare services and more,” the ministry said.

“We know there is more to do and we won’t stop working until people in British Columbia can get the care they need.” 

The letter was also signed by Dawson Creek Mayor Darcy Dober, District of Mackenzie Mayor Joan Atkinson, Allen Courtoreille, Mayor of the District of Chetwynd and District of Taylor Mayor Brent Taillefer.