British Columbia plans to create "highly secure" centers to care for people with mental health problems as well as brain injuries. The announcement was made on Sunday at a press conference attended by the prime minister, the attorney general, the mayor of Vancouver and representatives of the two indigenous nations.

"All of these facilities will provide mandatory care under the Mental Health Act of British Columbia to individuals who are eligible to receive such care," reads the news release accompanying the announcement.

In addition to independent and dedicated centers, the province plans to reform "safe treatment" within British Columbia itself.

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"People facing trauma, brain injury and mental health challenges need compassionate care and direct and robust interventions to help stabilize and build a meaningful life," David Abbey said in a statement.

"This announcement is the beginning of our response to the crisis."

The press conference follows an investigation into a triple stabbing in Chinatown in which the suspect, who had a violent conviction, was on a day off from a forensic psychiatric facility. It also comes after a gruesome murder and mutilation in Vancouver, where the city's police chief described the suspect as "very troubled."

These crimes - on the eve of the provincial elections - caused the debate about forced treatment to heat up again.

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