Initiated by: Keegan Sigurnjak from Kelowna, British Columbia
Whereas:
Canadians seeking emergency psychiatric care face excessively long wait times, frequently waiting between 6 to over 24 hours in emergency departments before being assessed by a mental health professional
Patients frequently report encountering stigmatizing attitudes from healthcare staff, a lack of dignity in treatment, and feel their mental health crises are not taken seriously in emergency room environments
There is a lack of standardized protocols and accountability regarding patient discharge, resulting in vulnerable individuals in acute mental distress being repeatedly turned away or discharged unsafely without preventative care
The current crisis response model frequently relies on law enforcement rather than trained social workers or psychiatric professionals, which can escalate distress and criminalize individuals experiencing a mental health emergency
Essential mental health treatments, preventative therapy, and ongoing psychological support are largely excluded from universal public healthcare coverage, forcing patients to rely on inadequate emergency rooms as a last resort
Patients in rural or smaller communities face compounded barriers, including a severe lack of local psychiatric specialists, resulting in individuals being held in crisis for days until inpatient beds become available in larger centers
There is a significant deficiency in specialized training for hospital staff regarding trauma-informed care, safe de-escalation tactics, and the management of complex or less common psychiatric disorders.
History:
Open for signature: July 24, 2026
Closed for signature: November 21, 2026
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