Vancouver City Council’s Standing Committee on Policy and Strategic Priorities, in a virtual meeting Monday night, passed a motion to shift police priorities and funding so as to allow for a community-led approach to dealing with mental health emergencies and social issues.

An amendment to Councillor Jean Swanson’s motion, as moved by Councilor Pete Fry, calls for “a plan, timeline and budget to deprioritize policing as a response to mental health, sex work, homelessness, and substance use and to prioritize funding community-led groups, non-profit societies and others with the experience and training to deliver harm reduction and safety initiatives in these areas.”

The amended motion also advocates ongoing consultation with individuals with lived experience in such matters and specialized community groups into how the city can support existing and future community-based harm reduction and safety services.

Over 200 speakers had voiced their opinions and shared their personal experiences on the issue leading up to council’s vote.