A unified call for action on addiction, homelessness, and public safety in southeastern British Columbia is gaining momentum.
Trail Mayor Colleen Jones says she has been working alongside Nelson Mayor Janice Morrison and Castlegar Mayor Maria McFaddin to bring a new kind of request to the province: one focused on coordinated support for people who are unhoused and struggling with mental health and addictions.
“We needed to approach this differently,” said Jones. “This isn’t just about one city, it’s about the whole region coming together.”
To move the proposal forward, Jones explained that each city first had to pass the resolution through its own council before submitting it to the local government association for endorsement.
“I’m proud to say all three councils backed it unanimously,” she told the Trail Times.
With that support, a regional resolution addressing the escalating crisis was formally endorsed by the Association of Kootenay and Boundary Local Governments (AKBLG) at its annual convention, held in Kimberley at the end of April.
“I’m really proud of this region for recognizing the crisis we’re in and wanting to be part of the solution,” Jones said, noting the endorsement will give the municipalities more leverage in meetings with provincial ministers.
According to the resolution’s background, communities across southeastern B.C. are experiencing increased homelessness, heightened public safety concerns, and growing pressure on health and emergency services.
Furthermore, the resolution states that the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction has identified a rising need for complex care services in the region, with current resources falling short of demand.
Specifically, it asks for increased investment in detox and rehabilitation services, a coordinated strategy to address homelessness, and targeted support for public safety initiatives tailored to communities facing rising street population pressures.
The resolution reads in part:
“Whereas individuals facing severe mental health and addiction challenges require comprehensive and coordinated care, and the current resources in southeastern B.C. are insufficient to meet the growing demand…
Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Provincial Government … to increase funding and resources, foster collaboration, develop a regional homelessness strategy, and provide direct support to municipalities for policing and public safety.”
A regional approach — one that spans healthcare, housing, and enforcement — is seen as essential.
Leaders argue that forcing individuals to leave their home communities for detox or treatment not only disrupts care but places an unfair burden on larger centres.
Data from the City of Nelson, including its Community Perceptions of Homelessness Survey and point-in-time counts, reveal that some municipalities are disproportionately affected by the region’s growing homeless population.
Advocates say that a regional strategy will help ensure support and services are more fairly distributed across communities.
The resolution also addresses policing, calling for expanded resources for crisis response units, outreach teams, and mental health supports.
Municipal leaders say that while law enforcement plays a role in public safety, a compassionate, health-informed response is critical to lasting solutions.
With the AKBLG’s endorsement, the resolution now moves forward to the UBCM, where delegates from across the province will consider it later this year.
If passed, it will formally urge the Province of B.C. to prioritize southeastern B.C. in future funding and planning for homelessness, addiction, and public safety.
The 2025 UBCM Convention will take place Sept. 22 to Sept. 26 in Victoria at the Victoria Conference Centre.
