B.C. minister wants to force homeless into shelters

IAN BAILEY
From Thursday's Globe and Mail
December 31, 2008 at 11:48 PM EST

VANCOUVER — Housing Minister Rich Coleman says the Mental Health Act needs to be changed so homeless people can be forced into shelters for their own good.

“I just think it's important to take a hard look at it,” Mr. Coleman said Wednesday in an interview.

He said he has discussed the idea with Premier Gordon Campbell, and launched a review of the act to figure out how to make the plan work.

“There are provisions under the Mental Health Act for a committal and that sort of thing. I think we need to have some stronger provisions for this sort of situation.”

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See also B.C. wants law to force mentally ill into shelters (Vancouver Sun)