The British Columbia government has created 18 new beds dedicated to long-term involuntary care at a Metro Vancouver mental health facility.

The new beds at Alouette Homes in Maple Ridge, B.C., are designed for people who need involuntary care under the Mental Health Act outside the criminal justice system, Health Minister Josie Osborne told a news conference on Tuesday.

"I want to be clear that while Alouette Homes is located next to the Alouette Correctional Centre, it is not the same as the in…