Ken Sim has called on all the provincial and federal governments to do more to expand access to involuntary care for those suffering from severe mental health issues following the horrific Lapu Lapu Day festival attack in Vancouver.
Noting that the mentally ill suspect had been out on "extended leave" at the time of the incident, the mayor said the situation "points to a deeper failure in the mental health system."
"I can confirm that Vancouver Coastal Health has shared that the individual alleged to be responsible was under the care of a mental healthcare team and on extended leave," Sim said during a press conference on Wednesday.
"This is incredibly difficult to hear and even harder to accept, because it points to a deeper failure in the mental health system."
He made it clear that while Vancouver is stepping up where it can, the city "can't do this alone."
"I continue to call on senior levels of government to expand compassionate mandatory care, to resource secure treatment beds beyond the 400 currently committed," Sim declared, adding it was only one step in a "comprehensive mental health continuum."
"We need to urgently roll out mandatory care for people in severe crisis who pose a risk to themselves and others," Sim continued, "and we need meaningful bail reform to ensure repeat offenders aren't recycled into our communities without proper support or supervision."
He lamented that the mental health crisis was quickly "manifesting into a public safety crisis."
The suspect, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, has been charged with eight counts of murder, though more charges are expected to be filed as the investigation continues.
Vancouver Police Department Sgt. Steve Addison said Lo had a "significant history" of interactions with police and healthcare professionals related to mental health, and confirmed that he had "contact" with police on April 25, one day before the attack.
Addison noted, however, that the interaction "was not criminal in nature," and "did not rise to the level where mental health intervention was required."
Premier David Eby vowed to launch a public inquiry into the attack if the current police investigation does not yield results.
Sim said what the public needs is not another inquiry, but action, noting that it seems pretty clear what needs to be done.