B.C. Human Rights Commissioner examines care and rights of vulnerable adults in B.C.
VANCOUVER — The British Columbia law that allows certain agencies to take over the affairs of abused, neglected or incapacitated adults is under scrutiny by the province’s human rights commissioner and B.C.’s seven health agencies have been ordered to assist.
Commissioner Kasari Govender wants the agencies to provide data on detentions of vulnerable adults who have been in their care.
The Adult Guardianship Act permits organizations, including the health agencies, to give emergency assistance to adults who seem incapable of giving or refusing consent for aid.
A statement from the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner says emergency assistance can include involuntary detention in care facilities for long periods.