A Manitoba woman who wants to open a gallery for mentally ill artists is accusing a town councillor of suggesting those individuals are dangerous like Vince Li, the man who beheaded a Greyhound bus passenger in 2008.

Vince Li is seen following his arrest in the death of Tim McLean aboard a Greyhound bus near Portage la Prairie, Man., in 2008. (John Woods/Canadian Press)

Liz Hibbert says she wants to run a gallery in the front yard of her Winnipeg Beach, Man., home on weekends, so that artists who live with mental-health issues can present their works to the public.

But Hibbert said she was shocked when on May 23, as town council discussed her application for a conditional use permit, Coun. Daryl Carry remarked, "We don't want Vince Li in Winnipeg Beach."

Li, who has schizophrenia, was found not criminally responsible of killing Tim McLean, 22, who was a fellow passenger on a Winnipeg-bound Greyhound bus on July 30, 2008.

Li has since been committed to the Selkirk Mental Health Centre, located about 40 kilometres southeast of Winnipeg Beach. He was recently granted short, escorted passes from the mental hospital into the city of Selkirk.

Hibbert, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2001, insists that not everyone with a mental illness is dangerous.

"I'm really upset over this. I'm offended, deeply offended, and embarrassed that this councilman made these words in my community," Hibbert told CBC News Thursday.

Demanding Carry's resignation

"That [the artists] would be able to actually interact with the public and do art is in no way dangerous of any kind," she added.

"To think so is ignorant and offensive to the people that may be attending my gallery."

Hibbert is demanding Carry's resignation from council, accusing him of "feeding into this fear-mongering … that people that live with the illness of schizophrenia are in some way dangerous."

Carry could not be reached for comment on Thursday, but Winnipeg Beach Mayor Tony Pimentel said the councillor was simply concerned about the public's safety.

When asked if he believes Carry is perpetuating people's fears that those with mental illness may be dangerous, Pimentel replied, "I think that could be perceived in the comment that he made. I don't believe that that's how he feels."

Town council is expected to vote on Hibbert's proposal on Tuesday.

As for Carry, Pimentel said the councillor will not resign.