On November 21, Vancouver Fire Rescue Services responded to 54 overdose calls in a single day, the highest in its history. Firefighters now average 45 overdose calls daily, with major spikes during income-assistance week. Three days earlier, the Cowichan Valley saw 80 overdoses in 24 hours, exhausting local naloxone supplies.
Statement issued by Critic for Mental Health and Addictions Claire Rattée: “Vancouver’s highest-ever overdose call volume is a devastating warning that this crisis is only getting worse. If this government’s approach worked, we would see results, but we don’t.
“Vancouver has the most concentrated access to safe supply, overdose prevention sites, decriminalization, and every harm-reduction measure the government champions, yet more people are dying than ever. Policies that normalize hard drug use have failed and must end.
“People need access to treatment, psychiatric services, and long term supports, not policies that keep them trapped in addiction and put communities at risk. Every day this government delays, more families lose loved ones and more front-line workers are overwhelmed. British Columbians deserve a recovery-centred path forward.”
Statement from Critic for Public Safety and Solicitor General Macklin McCall: “Firefighters are overwhelmed. Vancouver’s Fire Hall 2 responded to 452 emergency calls last week, nearly double the 229 from last year. These aren’t just overdoses; they include fires, violent incidents, and escalating disorder tied to the drug-enabled environment this government created.
“This crisis harms everyone, those overdosing, the public who no longer feel safe, and responders stretched to their limits. When crews are tied up with drug-related calls, they’re not available for other emergencies. These policies are putting the whole province at risk.”
After nine years under an official public health emergency, British Columbians continue to face the harms of an increasingly dangerous and unpredictable drug supply, along with the downstream effects on families, communities, and first responders.
Enough is Enough.
💡 Big Idea: Instead of fighting over who’s in power, politicians become contributors to a collective mission, and citizens stay the ultimate referee.
ReplyDeleteCitizen-Led Priority Councils
Create panels of randomly selected citizens (sortition) to identify the top 5–10 issues that matter most locally and nationally.
These councils work as neutral “scoreboards” to show politicians what people actually want, not what party lines dictate.
Politicians then publicly commit to these priorities for the term.
2. Strength-Based Coalitions
Map out each party’s real-world strengths (e.g., healthcare, economy, climate, infrastructure).
Form issue-specific coalitions across parties: one coalition handles housing, another handles climate, etc.
Members collaborate only on solving the problem at hand, leaving electoral competition for campaigns.
3. Transparent Progress Tracking
Citizens track outcomes via a simple public dashboard.
Each initiative is scored for results, not ideology.
Accountability shifts from “political loyalty” to “did we solve the problem?”
4. Public Feedback Loops
Short, quarterly consultations where citizens review what’s working and what isn’t.
Adjust coalitions and priorities based on results.
Keeps politics responsive instead of performative.
5. Nonpartisan Leadership Labs
Temporary councils of cross-party leaders and experts to test solutions before scaling.
Think of it as a “sandbox” where politics meets real problem-solving.
#MATCHTHEMESS GOVERNMENT OF CANADA!
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