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The B.C. Liberals’ refusal to provide the North with a full 24 hour of crisis line coverage is a betrayal of Northern families and individuals who are going through difficult times, say New Democrats.

“Crisis situations are not restricted to the hours of 9 am to 11pm. But according to Health Minister Kevin Falcon, providing the North a crisis line that has limited hours of operation is a best practice,” said Cariboo North MLA and New Democrat aboriginal affairs critic Bob Simpson.

The Northern crisis line is closed between 11pm and 9 am.

In the legislature this week, New Democrats drew attention to Northern B.C.’s inadequate access to crisis services. After Health Minister Kevin Falcon refused to address communities’ concerns, Simpson asked the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs George Abbott to intervene, given the high rate of suicide in First Nations communities.

Stikine MLA Doug Donaldson noted that the B.C. Liberals’ post-election health care cuts are further fracturing the North’s already insufficient mental health and addiction treatment system. “Vulnerable groups stand to suffer even more if this government proceeds with its haphazard plan to reduce mental health and addictions services,” said Donaldson

“A key recommendation following consultations two years ago with Northern communities on how to improve mental health and addiction health services was to increase community-based services. But rather than building on successful initiatives, since the election the B.C. Liberal government has cut effective programs like Atlas Youth Treatment, the province’s only 30 day youth addictions treatment program,” add Skeena MLA Robin Austin.

Northern New Democrat MLAs will continue to advocate for northern health services to be restored and improved.

Carole James and the New Democrats have been holding the B.C. Liberals accountable for breaking their word on the HST, and for backtracking on their election promises to protect health care, education, and other vital services.

Bob Simpson
MLA Cariboo North

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