Chilliwack council calls for equal approach to shelter beds across B.C. – BC [Video]

Chilliwack council is putting some pressure on the province to create shelter beds in an “equitable manner” between all B.C. communities.

Despite local shelters being at full capacity, Chilliwack’s mayor says people continue to be sent to the community to seek help.

“I need to protect my service providers. They’re overwhelmed. They’re overworked, with some hospitals to the west of us sending folks out here that have complex care needs,” said Chilliwack Mayor Ken Popove.

“We’re not set up to take care of these folks. They should be a in their own community, being looked after or in their own local hospitals… Chilliwack is full. We are full to the brim. We cannot accept any more folks here.”

The Ministry of Health declined to comment and directed our questions to Fraser Health.

According to the local health authority, patients have the final say on where they decide to go when they are healthy enough to leave any hospital.

“In situations …