The Union of BC Municipalities has called for a provincial safety law on hoarding.
The mayor of Ashcroft brought the motion at the mayors’ convention, saying the problem is on the rise and communities need a tool to deal with it.
However, therapist Don Collett says hoarding is a mental health issue and not a “nuisance issue.”
“In our human rights legislation in B.C., it’s considered a mental disability so you can’t actually act against people who have a hoarding disorder just because they’ve hoarded their place.”
Collett says a balance is needed between hoarders not being harmed and protection of public safety.
About The Reporter
