City of North Vancouver Steps up for BC’s First Responders
In our last newsletter, we encouraged readers to send a letter to BC Minister of Health Josie Osborne to ask for support for first responder mental health ("Seeking Government Support for Mental Health in BC"—November 25, 2024).
City of North Vancouver fire fighter Jeff McCutcheon did just that, writing to Minister Osborne to ask her to prioritize funding and resources for the BC First Responder Resiliency Program.
“Investing in first responder mental health is not just an investment in their well-being—it’s an investment in the safety and health of all British Columbians. Healthy and resilient first responders are better equipped to respond to emergencies, safeguard lives, and contribute positively to society.” —Jeff McCutcheon, North Vancouver City Fire Department
CNV Cllr Tony Valente’s motion supporting the BC First Responder Resiliency Program (click to enlarge).
Building on Jeff’s letter, in February, Councillor Tony Valente of the City of North Vancouver submitted a motion to CNV Council expressing “Support for First Responder Resiliency – Health and Wellbeing of BC’s Public Safety Personnel”, which calls on the provincial government to fund the First Responder Resiliency Program for two years.
The motion also asked for first responder resiliency education to be incorporated into government policy-making, legislation and regulations around protecting and supporting first responder mental health in BC.
At the March 3, 2025 CNV Council Meeting, three Metro Vancouver first responders spoke in support of the motion—Constable Michael Griffin and Detective Brandon Steele of the Vancouver Police Department, and Brandon Currie of the Vancouver Fire Department. CNV Fire Chief Greg Schalk and Blueprint’s Duncan Shields also spoke in support of the motion.
Carried unanimously by CNV Council, the motion was forwarded to the Lower Mainland Local Government Association (LMLGA); endorsement by LMLGA members will result in the motion moving to the annual Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Convention for consideration; resolutions endorsed by UBCM members are submitted to government for response and action:
“The main forum for UBCM policy-making is the annual resolutions cycle. It provides an opportunity for local governments of all sizes and from all areas of the province to express concerns, share their experiences and take a united position.”—UBCM website
Following the vote, Mayor Buchanan expressed concern about the extended timeframe of UBCM-bound resolutions, and the timeliness and need for mental health funding for first responders, and made a separate motion:
THAT the Mayor, on behalf of Council, write to the Minister of Health, Minister of Labour, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General to collaborate with FRRP interest holder organizations to develop mental health and wellness policies, regulations, and funding mechanisms to ensure the long-term viability and expansion of this program for the benefit of all British Columbia first responders, in communities across the province.
Thank you Mayor Buchanan, Councillor Valente, and City of North Vancouver Council for supporting workplace mental health and the BC First Responder Resiliency program!
Help us make the case to the BC government:
See CNV’s support for this program—watch Council Meeting video (Item 8: Support for First Responder Resiliency)
Write a letter to Minister of Health Josie Osborne asking for public funding for first responder mental health: HLTH.Minister@gov.bc.ca
