Mandatory Care in B.C.: What Families Need to Know

Mandatory care is coming. It is not law yet.

B.C.’s new government has promised to expand mandatory care for people with severe addiction or mental illness who cannot care for themselves. This needs changes to the law, which take time. Until then, the current rules still apply.

What the new government has promised

• Change the Mental Health Act so people who cannot protect themselves can be required to get treatment
• Give police a role in connecting people to mandatory care
• Build more psychiatric and treatment beds, so there is somewhere for people to go
• An independent review of the Mental Health Act

Source: B.C. Conservative platform, 2026. No dates or bed numbers have been announced yet.

What the law allows today

B.C.’s Mental Health Act already allows involuntary care in limited cases. Doctors decide, and the person must have a mental disorder that puts them or others at serious risk. Addiction on its own usually does not qualify. If someone is in danger right now, call 9-1-1.

Who mandatory care is for

It is meant for people in the worst situations: those who cannot keep themselves safe because of severe addiction, mental illness or brain injury. Most people struggling with addiction will never be in this group.

What this means for your family

1. Don’t wait for the law to change. Addiction gets worse with time. Help that starts now works better than help forced later.
2. Mandatory care is a last resort. A planned intervention gives your loved one the chance to choose treatment first.
3. Get a plan in place. Know the programs, the costs and the next steps before a crisis.
4. Get support for yourself. Families carry a lot. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

This article is general information. It describes government plans as of October 2026; laws may change.