Image Credit: 208519215 © Monkey Business Images | Dreamstime.com

By Peter Milobar, MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: More mental health supports needed in our community

Aug 12, 2021 | 8:20 AM

IF WE FIND ourselves in a crisis or emergency, we expect the appropriate resources will be quickly and easily accessible to help us heal and recover. Unfortunately, when it comes to mental health services, many families in Kamloops and beyond are losing hope in the system.

There just don’t seem to be enough supports available — or, available quickly enough — to get people the help they need in a timely manner. Locally, there are two significant ways that John Horgan and the NDP could improve this.

They could move forward on a solid proposal by Interior Community Services to bring a Foundry Centre to Kamloops. The Foundry program, enacted under the former BC Liberal government, provides mental health care, substance use services and family peer supports for youth aged 12-24. The program has expanded across British Columbia but for reasons unbeknownst to anyone, the NDP has turned down Kamloops’ request for a centre for the past four years in a row.

Kamloops is the largest city outside the Lower Mainland without a Foundry site, and it appears we won’t be getting one anytime soon. During questioning in the Legislature, Mental Health and Addictions Minister Sheila Malcolmson admitted that the next intake for Foundry applications won’t be until 2023 — so even if Kamloops was to be successful in that process, a centre would still be three years away from opening. Unfortunately, that’s not soon enough for the many youth and their families in need of integrated services in a one-stop facility.

The NDP could also show some leadership when it comes to increasing funding for the successful Car 40 program, which has the support of our mayor and council and a number of local agencies. It pairs a mental health practitioner with an RCMP officer to respond to calls involving mental health situations.

100 Mile House emergency department closed Monday

10h ago

Highway 5 North

B.C. launches Highway 5 North speed data collection project

11h ago

Week in Review

Week In Review: Week of March 16

Mar 21, 2026

The Car 40 program started in Kamloops in 2012 with a continuation of funding in 2014. However, since 2017 the NDP has chosen to ignore any questions about further expansion, with both the current minister and preceding minister saying it’s up to the health authority to fund. They’ve taken a hands-off approach, instead of intervening and directing the health authority to find the money to expand the service — or, taking it a step further, offering up the funding themselves. That seems unlikely when we know that 70 per cent of the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions’ budget goes to staff salaries.

This is no time to be playing games and dodging responsibility. We have an opioid crisis that continues to claim more lives each month. We’re in the fourth wave of a COVID-19 pandemic that has only created more demand for mental health services. Homelessness and street disorder persist in our communities. What vulnerable people in the region need are compassion, care, and access to the right resources at the right time.

It’s time for John Horgan and the NDP to answer Kamloopsians’ calls for more help. It’s time for them to expand the Car 40 program and green-light a new Foundry centre so that no one is turned away or forced to wait too long for services.

—

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.