Content warning: The following story deals with the subject of suicide. If you or a loved one is at risk of self-harm, call the BC Crisis Centre at 988. Translation services are available.
David McCann has been the general manager at the Creekhouse Gallery on Vancouver’s Granville Island for over thirty years.
In that time, he says, he has had the unfortunate experience of having witnessed a number of suicides.
“The last one I saw was five years ago, and it still moves me,” McCann told CityNews. “I’ve seen some of the people that have had to deal with it just break down.”
“You shouldn’t have to deal with it when you can prevent it.”
Suicide prevention barriers were first proposed in 2024 by former city councillor and now Housing Minister Christine Boyle.
But the work was put off, and the funding has been cut from the 2027-30 capital budget.
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McCann says he’s frustrated by council’s decision to delay work that he says should have been done years ago.
“This is simple. The bridge has been under construction for the last five years,” he said.
“Let’s just do it at the same time, rather than come back to the bridge and shut it down again.”
Stacy Ashton, executive director of Crisis Centre BC, says her organization answers roughly 100 calls a day, with 60 per cent of those related to suicide.
She points out that there have been no deaths by suicide on the Burrard Street Bridge since barriers were installed in 2017. Meanwhile, the Granville Street Bridge has seen six deaths in the last seven years.
“A barrier will actually stop and interrupt suicidal thinking and force a different outcome,” Ashton said.
City officials say they are seeking provincial or federal funding, and if that happens, they may still be able to find the city’s share of the estimated cost of $10-20 million.
Meanwhile, Ashton says, if you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, contact Crisis Centre BC’s helpline at 988.