COMMITTEE FOR QUALITY CARE

SUBMISSION TO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS

Introduction

The Cornmittee in support of Quality Care for the Mentally IN and the Mentally
Handicapped is sponsored by a number of organizations. These organizations include the
Community Business and Professionals Association, Educators for Senior Citizens, B.C.
Old Age Pensioners Association, B.C. Nurses Union, Union of Psychiatric Nurses, the
Federation of Anti-Poverty Groups of 8.C., the Downtawn Eastside Residents
Association, End Legislative Poverty, the Mentai Patients! Advocate Project, People
First, and the 8.C. Government Employees’ Union.

In addition there are over forty ather groups and over two hundred individuals who have

contacted us and indicated their support for sur campaign for quality care.

Reason for Concern

The concept of de-institutionalization is currently being introduced to British Columbia.
It began in a substantial way with the closure of Tranquille School for the Mentally
Handicapped in Kamloops in 1984/85. The introduction of this process in and of itself is
not a concern to us. However, the government policy with respect to

de-institutionalization is, in our view, inadequate and misguided.

The major flaws.in the current policy of the provincial government with respect to
de-institutionalization include the lack of an overall coordinated plan to achieve the
goals of this process. Further, the establishment of artificial timetables and the lack of
support programs to ensure a successful process cause the Committee to take a dim view
of the policy of the provincial government.