B.C. legislation lacks safeguards, allowing vulnerable people to be detained against their will

B.C. legislation intended to protect vulnerable adults from abuse and neglect lacks transparency, oversight and adequate safeguards, allowing some health agencies to detain people without legal authority to do so or due regard to their procedural rights, according to a new report from the province’s Human Rights Commissioner.Kasari Govender led an inquiry into detentions under the Adult Guardianship Act and found that these practices have had a disproportionate impact on seniors, homeless people and people living with disabilities, including those with mental-health and substance-use issues. Her findings were released Tuesday.