---
title: "BC Greens propose mental health as a fourth option in 911 calls"
description: "The BC Green Party published a mental health platform on 17 October 2026 that would add a mental health response option to 911, cover six annual visits to a psychologist under the provincial health plan, and update BC's Mental Health Act."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/bc/provincial-2026/news/bc-greens-mental-health-reforms-october-2026"
last_updated: "2026-10-17T21:38:05.411Z"
---

The BC Green Party published a mental health platform on 17 October 2026 with three commitments for the 24 October BC provincial election. The announcement was made by party leader [Emily Lowan](/bc/provincial-2026/candidates/emily-lowan), who is running in Saanich North and the Islands.

The first commitment is to add mental health as a fourth option when someone calls 911, separate from police, fire and ambulance. The party says some people in a mental health crisis are better served by a mental health-specific response than by a police or ambulance dispatch.

The second commitment is to cover six annual visits to mental health professionals, including psychologists, under the Medical Services Plan for all British Columbians. Those visits are not covered under the current plan, which means people pay out of pocket or go without.

The third commitment is to update BC's Mental Health Act. The party says the current law is the most outdated mental health legislation in Canada and that the BC Supreme Court has ruled parts of it unconstitutional. The party says it would strengthen protections around consent, capacity and independent oversight of involuntary treatment.

The party says, on its website, that nearly 47% of British Columbians who need mental health support are waiting for help. The party does not name the source of that statistic in the release.

Lowan said in the announcement: "The foundation of mental health rests on access to connection, belonging, and basic necessities like income, food, housing, and healthcare." She also said the BC NDP chose to rely on a law the court ruled unconstitutional rather than update it.

The party's claims about the NDP's approach are the party's own characterization. The NDP's response to these claims is not included in the BC Greens' release, and none was found reported at the time of writing.

The announcement was made in Saanich North and the Islands during advance voting week. Advance voting for the 24 October election runs 16 to 21 October 2026. You can find advance voting locations and registration information through Elections BC, and BC Green Party candidates are listed at [/bc/provincial-2026/parties/bc-green-party](/bc/provincial-2026/parties/bc-green-party).

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