B.C.’s mental health and addictions critic in hot water after appearing in controversial video
Posted November 13, 2023 6:53 pm.
Last Updated November 17, 2023 3:12 pm.
BC United MLA Elenore Struko, who is the Mental Health and Addictions critic, appears near the end of a video by American YouTuber Tyler Oliveira, who is seen walking around and interviewing people in the Downtown Eastside.
In the video, which has garnered million of views online, Sturko criticizes the government’s handling of the drug crisis, specifically targeting decriminalization.
However, Sturko calls the video “exploitative” and tells CityNews she was filmed without her consent.
“I hadn’t given my consent to participate in their in their documentary,” she said. “As far as I knew, I was just providing background, and, I mean, I’m very casual, obviously my conversation with them, not that I have any regrets about the things that I said.”
Sturko took to social media to share screenshots of conversations she had with those behind the video. In the post on X, formerly known at Twitter, the MLA reiterates that she “did not agree to participate in the video and was recorded by the filmmakers without my consent.”
“Although I stand by my own comments, I do not agree with characterizations of BC made in the video nor the premise of ambushing people on the street as click bait,” the post reads.
“The comment that I make actually in there that says, ‘Where the hell are people suppose to go?’ is actually in response, I was talking about the new legislation in moving people out of parks and playgrounds,” Sturko added in an interview with CityNews.
However, harm reduction advocate Guy Felicella says the video Sturko appeared in “was stigmatizing, dishonest, and very hurtful” to those battling addictions, those experiencing homelessness, and families who’ve lost loved ones to the toxic drug crisis.
“For me, personally, as someone in recovery … and somebody who has struggled to get out of that lifestyle, it was very hurtful,” Felicella said. “She’s the B.C. shadow minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and by appearing in this video, she gives it the credibility it doesn’t deserve. I also have a hard time believing she didn’t know what they were about. A quick Google search would find other videos on their feed,” he said.
Felicella notes Sturko’s previous work as media relations officer for the Surrey RCMP, adding “she knows how to vet interview requests.”
He is calling for the MLA to apologize publicly.
“She didn’t apologize as well. She said the video is exploitative but she didn’t take any accountability for her part in the video, which is something that she needs to actually do, because her being in it has caused a lot of people a great deal of harm. We make mistakes, time to own up on this one and make a public apology,” Felicella said.
Felicella also takes issue with the video itself and is calling for it to be taken down altogether.
“You get these people coming from the U.S. to do some video of a community that they absolutely know nothing about, have no connection to, it’s extremely hurtful,” he said.
