VERNON – B.C. Liberal MLA Eric Foster admits his government refuses to do as much as it can to reduce mental health and addictions issues driving up Vernon’s homeless population despite a $2 billion dollar surplus.

“Eric Foster’s comments to the Vernon City Council show the Christy Clark government refuses to do more, even though they could, to address the factors that are driving homeless populations up across the province,” said New Democrat housing spokesperson David Eby.

“In addition to two tent cities in Vernon, we’ve had tent cities in Maple Ridge, Abbotsford, Victoria, Vancouver, Surrey, and record homeless counts in Terrace and Prince George in just the last year. What will it take to convince Eric Foster and Christy Clark to do everything they can to address this crisis? How many more Vernon tent cities?”

Speaking before a frustrated city council Monday, Foster said: “Could we do more? Sure. But there is a limit.”

“Vernon City Council has been asking their local MLA for help stemming the growth in the homeless population by supporting better mental health and addiction services, a common sense approach,” said Eby. “In response, Eric Foster said his government could do more, but it refuses to. That’s simply not acceptable.”