A government-commissioned report, by McDermott Consulting, showed that in 2005 Alberta had .45 beds per 1000 people for mental patients, while the national average stood at 1.9 beds per 1,000.

On Monday, Alberta advocates including the Canadian Mental Health Association said that the province requires more mental health beds.

"People aren't getting the help they need," said Jodi Cohen, a spokeswoman for the Alberta division of the association.

This news comes shortly after local health officials dismissed the plans to build a psychiatric wing for the first phase of a new south Calgary hospital.

"This government is failing our mentally ill, failing their families, and the result is increased homelessness, drug dependency and violent crime," said NDP Leader Brian Mason after obtaining a copy of the government-commissioned report titled, Beyond Beds to Balanced Mental Health Care.

However, on Monday, Health Minister Ron Liepert defended Alberta's record on mental health saying the province spends $600 million annually in this area and is adding treatment beds through its safe communities initiative. He added that Alberta is developing standards for mental health care.

"This government has taken this issue very seriously and will continue to take it seriously," he said in question period.