Mental Health and Addictions Minister Sheila Malcolmson — File Photo (Image Credit: Flickr / Province of B.C.)

By James Peters

Two & Out

PETERS: Horgan’s ‘urgent response’ to overdose crisis should include cabinet shuffle

Mar 11, 2022 | 11:35 AM

THE NDP GOVERNMENT THEMED ITS NEWLY-RELEASED PROVINCIAL BUDGET ‘Better Together,’ suggesting a collaborative approach would help address the many issues facing British Columbians.

Unfortunately, the government’s response to the report from a death review panel looking into overdose deaths in B.C. has betrayed that collaborative spirit.

The death review panel suggested a lack of urgency on the part of successive governments has contributed to more people dying of toxic drug overdoses.

It called on government to snap to attention and lay out a plan of action with 30-, 60- and 90-day benchmarks.

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As it should, the opposition put those recommendations to the government in question period this week, asking if and when it will commit to hitting those benchmarks. The BC Liberals also asked again when the government would activate the all-party health committee to generate some more ideas to combat the crisis.

Friday, the B.C. Coroners Service released the latest overdose death totals, showing an average of more than six deaths per day in January and no fewer 11 deaths in Kamloops for the month.

The provincial government does not hold all the keys to ending this crisis. Clearly, there are roles to play for the federal government, health organizations, social agencies, private citizens and more.

The Horgan government should be taking the lead, though, and can start by heeding the recommendations in the death panel report.

Mental Health and Addictions Minister Sheila Malcolmson, in answering opposition questions Wednesday, decided it was a good time for a partisan shot at BC Liberal leader Kevin Falcon.

That decision showed why Malcolmson is the wrong government point person on this file.

While question period is known for much partisan sniping and little in the way of constructive dialogue, Malcolmson should be first and foremost among members treating the overdose crisis with that ‘Better Together’ attitude.

If any issue deserves the bipartisan cooperation we saw at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s overdose crisis response.

And if Premier John Horgan wants to show that his government is treating the issue with urgency, he should start by shuffling Malcolmson out of this portfolio and giving it to a minister who can put partisan potshots aside and take some real action.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.