Maybe this time it will be different.

All the other mental-health horror stories that make their way to the legislature involving deranged people inflicting ghastly harm on citizens follow a similar pattern.

The horrifying details are recounted by the opposition, then there’s a strident demand for action.

The government ministers express their heartfelt condolences, and then read briefing notes explaining how the system did the best it could under whatever circumstances developed.

The critics grow testy and demand better answers. The ministers get frustrated and retreat into their message boxes.

When enough cases pile up, there is some incremental progress toward addressing the problem. Last week’s opening in a jail of a 10-bed involuntary care unit for inmates with mental-health problems is an example.

But it’s a long, zigzag march towards any kind of progress.

Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu massacre may transcend those pro forma exchanges of views.

The government set a different tone from the start, cancelling most of Monday’s sitting out of respect.

Politicians from all sides joined together at vigils. Premier David Eby on........

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