Compassionate Intervention Act

Summary#

• Bill 53 creates a new system to step in when a person’s substance use is likely to cause serious harm to themselves or others.

• It lets a new Commission order short-term assessment and, if needed, a care plan that can be inpatient (secure) or community-based, with timelines, rights, and reviews.

• Sets up the Compassionate Intervention Commission and a medical director to run the process.

• Lets family members, certain health workers, and police apply to have someone assessed if harm is likely due to substance use.

• Allows police to apprehend and take a person to a designated facility for assessment (generally within 72 hours).

• A 3-person panel holds a hearing quickly; it can issue a care plan order: secure inpatient (up to 3 months) or community-based (up to 6 months), with renewals.

• People have rights to a lawyer, to contact the Mental Health Patient Advocate, and to refuse most treatments (with limited exceptions).

• Special rules for minors: decisions must be in the child’s best interests, and guardians are involved.

What it means for you#

• Individuals who use substances

  • You could be taken to a designated facility without your consent if a panel finds your substance use is likely to cause serious harm to you or others.
  • You would be assessed and stabilized. A hearing must start within 72 hours (unless deferred in specific situations).
  • A care plan order could require you to stay in a secure inpatient setting (up to 3 months) or follow a community-based plan (up to 6 months). Orders can be reviewed, amended, or renewed.
  • You have the right to a lawyer and to contact the Mental Health Patient Advocate. You can refuse most treatments, except observation/assessment, clinical advice, and certain medications if specifically authorized.
  • You can appeal care plan orders and ask for reviews if your situation changes.

• Families

  • You may apply for an assessment order if you believe a loved one’s substance use is likely to cause serious harm. In some cases, close supporters can be designated as “family” for this purpose.
  • You can submit a family impact statement for the hearing and be kept informed of the person’s status.
  • After discharge, a post-discharge plan should outline ongoing supports.

• Health and social service providers

  • Physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, paramedics, and addiction counsellors can apply for assessment if they’ve provided care related to substance use.
  • Treatment teams must assess, report progress, prepare discharge plans, and follow rules set by the medical director.
  • Community-based providers must have a designated supervisor to oversee compliance and reporting.

• Police and peace officers

  • You may apprehend, detain, and transport people under orders, using reasonable force if needed, and return clients who leave without permission.

• Minors and guardians

  • Minors are presumed not able to make independent treatment decisions unless assessed otherwise; guardians are involved in decisions and hearings.
  • Facilities for minors are designated separately.

• Communities

  • The Act aims to reduce overdoses, unsafe situations, and disruption by allowing earlier intervention and structured treatment paths.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• It can save lives by intervening before a fatal overdose or serious harm occurs.
• Gives families and frontline workers a clear, fast way to get someone into care, with set timelines and regular reviews.
• Focuses on treatment and recovery rather than punishment; requires the least restrictive option that can work.
• Builds in client rights (lawyer, advocate, right to refuse most treatments), appeals, and independent oversight.
• Coordinates secure care and community care, with post-discharge planning to support recovery.

Opponents' View#

• Involuntary apprehension and treatment raise civil liberties concerns, especially given a broad “likely to cause harm” standard.
• Forced care may harm trust, deter people from seeking help, or be less effective than voluntary treatment.
• Heavy involvement by police and the ability to use force could traumatize clients and be misapplied.
• Significant capacity is needed (beds, staff, community programs); shortages could delay care or create uneven access, especially outside cities.
• Expanded sharing of personal and health information without consent may weaken privacy protections.
• For minors, presuming no capacity may sideline youth voices and increase family-state control over care decisions.