B.C. Conservatives promise 250 police officers, end to 'safe supply' program

B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson outlined a law-and-order platform Tuesday at a downtown Vancouver event, pledging to deploy 250 more police officers through an expanded Justice Institute of B.C. police academy, plus 500 additional RCMP over five years and 150 civilian staff. He also promised to hire 50 new Crown prosecutors and work with Ottawa to fund 20 more trial judges, while adding sheriff and court capacity to address delays.

The party would end the B.C. NDP's "safe supply" program and expand access to naloxone. Doerkson said he wants to stop illegal drug use in hospitals, shelters, and publicly funded supportive housing. "The time to act is now," he said. "Order, security, and compassionate care back to British Columbia's streets."

Skeena incumbent Claire Rattée, who attended the event, shared her personal experience with addiction and life on Vancouver's streets. "What's happening on the streets of Vancouver today, I don't just see a political issue. I see people, and often I see myself," she told the crowd. "Every person we see suffering on our streets has a story that isn't finished yet, and we cannot give up on them." Doerkson did not detail how the party would bridge the gap between recruiting and hiring the proposed officers. The election is October 24.