Canada doesn’t have enough beds to support involuntary addictions treatment, minister says | CBC News

Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Ya’ara Saks says there aren’t enough beds in jurisdictions across the country to support involuntary treatment for addictions and mental health.

Saks says health care is under provincial jurisdiction and it’s up to the provinces “to outline the policies that they see fit.”

But before they have discussions about compulsory care, they need to ensure adequate treatment services are in place, she says.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Thursday he’s in favour of mandatory, involuntary drug and psychiatric treatment for minors and prisoners who are found to be incapable of making decisions for themselves.

Compulsory care for mental health and addictions is being contemplated or expanded in several provinces as communities struggle to cope with a countrywide overdose crisis.

Poilievre says he’s still researching how mandatory treatment would work in the case of adults.