BC NDP pledges up to $90 million for involuntary care beds at Okanagan Correctional Centre

The BC NDP said on October 16, 2026, that it will invest up to $90 million to establish involuntary care beds at the Okanagan Correctional Centre in Oliver, Global News reported that day.

The party says that if it is re-elected, the facility will become part of a network of involuntary care centres for people experiencing severe mental health and addiction challenges, along with complex brain injuries. Involuntary care centres are already operating in Surrey and Maple Ridge, and new facilities are set to open in Surrey and Prince George, according to Global News.

What NDP candidates said

Loyal Wooldridge, the BC NDP candidate for Kelowna Centre, said in a statement that families are desperate to save their loved ones and that people want to feel safe in public spaces. "Walking by someone in total crisis and doing nothing isn't freedom; it's a clear sign we need to take more action," he said.

Harwinder Sandhu, the BC NDP candidate for Vernon-Lumby and a health-care professional, said she had seen firsthand the need for appropriate care for people facing complex challenges who cannot make decisions for themselves. "We're committed to building both voluntary and involuntary care options so people can get the right help, at the right time, in the right place," she said.

Conservative response

Gavin Dew, the Conservative Party of BC candidate for Kelowna-Mission, said in a release that his party had been calling for mandatory care at the correctional centre for years. "David Eby had every chance to listen, and he failed to act," Dew said. He said the party welcomed the announcement but that it was not Eby's idea. "The only thing that's changed is that David Eby is losing an election," he added.

Kristina Loewen, the Conservative candidate for Kelowna Centre, said real compassion means a full range of care including detox, voluntary treatment, rehabilitation, and secure medically supervised care when someone cannot make safe decisions for themselves. "The goal is to help people get well, bring families back together and make our communities safer," she said.

Voluntary treatment and a legal challenge

The NDP also pledged to expand voluntary treatment across the province, stating that 35 Foundry centres are open or on the way, including in Kelowna, Penticton and Vernon. According to Global News, these centres have provided mental health and addictions services to more than 84,000 youth since 2019.

The Council of Canadians with Disabilities had challenged BC's approach to involuntary psychiatric treatment, arguing it violated charter rights. The BC Supreme Court agreed, ruling that the Mental Health Act gave hospital directors what the court called blanket power to impose psychiatric treatment. The lawsuit did not challenge involuntary admission itself, Global News reported.

Advance voting is open now through October 21. You can find your voting place through Elections BC at elections.bc.ca/voting/where-to-vote, and see all parties and candidates at /bc/provincial-2026.