VANCOUVER, B.C. — Vancouver City Council has approved a motion brought forward by Councillor Pete Fry to develop a community-based crisis management strategy grounded in understanding and de-escalation, aimed at improving public safety while prioritizing non-policing interventions where applicable and appropriate as a first response.

The motion recognizes that many interactions on Vancouver’s streets involve people experiencing homelessness, mental health crises, addictions, and trauma, and that in some situations the presence of police can escalate encounters rather than resolve them. Council’s direction focuses on practical, accessible tools and education for residents and businesses, alongside stronger partnerships with health and community organizations.

Council directed staff to develop a community-based crisis management strategy that includes a pilot public information, education, and engagement program that is:

• Inclusive and accessible to residents and businesses;
• Informed by anti-racist, decolonial, and destigmatized approaches;
• Rooted in non-violent crisis intervention and de-escalation;
• Guided by compassion, mutual understanding, best practices, and lived experience;
• Designed to help participants better understand trauma, mental health, and substance use;
• Equipped to help people respond when someone may be in crisis; and
• Oriented toward reducing non-emergency police call volumes by connecting people to more appropriate supports where possible

Council also directed that the pilot include input from partners including Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver Police Department, Canadian Mental Health Association, the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, and others (including community groups, peer supporters, and BIAs) as applicable.

In addition, Council directed the Mayor, on behalf of Council, to write to senior provincial leadership requesting increased investment in social services addressing poverty, public safety, unstable housing, mental health and addictions—along with social assistance rates at the market basket measure poverty level and a safe supply of drugs (as added by amendment).

“Vancouverites want safe, peaceful neighbourhoods and we also need better tools than ‘call 911’ for every situation,” said Councillor Pete Fry. “This motion is about helping residents and businesses respond to a crisis with understanding and de-escalation, and about building systems that connect people to the right help, often without police being the first or only option.”

This item was originally brought forward in 2020 and was postponed pending the Province’s Police Act review Terms of Reference being established and made public. With those conditions met, Council considered the motion as Unfinished Business at its January 25, 2022 meeting.

The motion carried at Council, with one Councillor declaring a conflict of interest as such did not participate in the vote.

Minutes: https://council.vancouver.ca/20220125/documents/regu20220125min.pdf