Vancouver Island MP calls for federal addiction treatment funding

Vancouver Island addiction treatment mental health care federal funding toxic drug deaths

Cowichan-Malahat-Langford MP Jeff Kibble is urging the federal government to provide dedicated funding for a new treatment-and-recovery facility on Vancouver Island. Kibble, the Conservative Shadow Minister for Defence Procurement, has written to federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel and B.C. Health Minister Ravi Kahlon to advocate for expanded access to addiction and mental-health services in the region.

Kibble cited urgent local needs, noting that Island Health recorded 343 toxic drug deaths in 2025. Additionally, Statistics Canada reported a crime severity index of 336 for Duncan, significantly higher than the national index of 75.

The request follows the provincial government's July 10 approval of secure treatment facilities in Surrey and Prince George. Kibble is calling for the federal government to utilize the current health agreement renewal and the expanded Emergency Treatment Fund to establish a specific funding envelope for Vancouver Island to support secure, involuntary care.

Entities

Island Health · Jeff Kibble · Marjorie Michel · Ravi Kahlon · Vancouver Island

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] The provincial government approved secure treatment facilities for Surrey and Prince George on July 10. ladysmithchronicle.com · todayinbc.com · nanaimobulletin.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Kibble requested that the federal government set aside a specific funding envelope for Vancouver Island within the health agreement renewal. ladysmithchronicle.com · todayinbc.com · nanaimobulletin.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Island Health recorded 343 toxic drug deaths in 2025. ladysmithchronicle.com · todayinbc.com · nanaimobulletin.com
[● 3 SOURCES] MP Jeff Kibble is calling for federal funding to establish a treatment-and-recovery facility on Vancouver Island. ladysmithchronicle.com · todayinbc.com · nanaimobulletin.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The crime severity index for Duncan is 336, compared to a national index of 75. ladysmithchronicle.com · todayinbc.com · nanaimobulletin.com