Vancouver mayor to move urgent motion to block proposed overdose prevention site
Indo-Canadian Voice Vancouver mayor to move urgent motion to block proposed overdose prevention site posted by: Rattan MallVANCOUVER Mayor Ken Sim announced on Tuesday morning that he is moving an urgent motion to block a proposed overdose prevention site (OPS) at 900 Helmcken Street. The motion, set to come forward during Tuesday’s Vancouver City Council meeting, would direct City staff to ‘use all tools available to the City’ including permitting, licensing, servicing, […] The post Vancouver mayor to move urgent motion to block proposed overdose prevention site first appeared on Indo-Canadian Voice.Indo-Canadian Voice
Black News 
VANCOUVER Mayor Ken Sim announced on Tuesday morning that he is moving an urgent motion to block a proposed overdose prevention site (OPS) at 900 Helmcken Street.
The motion, set to come forward during Tuesday’s Vancouver City Council meeting, would direct City staff to ‘use all tools available to the City’ including permitting, licensing, servicing, and legal settlements as bases to prevent the opening of the new OPS.
“Vancouver will not support solutions that fail both those who are struggling and the communities around them,” said Sim. “We have seen the disastrous impact when OPS sites are introduced without the right planning, oversight, and accountability.”
Sim was highly critical of the current Provincial and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) approach to the addictions and mental health crises, reiterating the need for the Province to follow through on previous commitments regarding mandatory care.
“The status quo doesn’t work, and frankly, it’s never worked,” said Sim. “The Premier committed to 400 mandatory care beds over a year and a half ago and yet, the City of Vancouver has seen zero beds. That’s completely unacceptable and irresponsible when we are in the middle of a crisis.”
Sim noted concerns raised by local businesses, healthcare workers, and community leaders about safety and conditions in areas surrounding similar sites, including the now-closed OPS’s at 1060 Howe Street and 1101 Seymour Street. Concerns have been raised regarding the lack of meaningful consultation with local stakeholders prior to the proposal being brought forward.
“Vancouver is ready to be part of real solutions that connect people to care, improve public safety, and rebuild trust with communities,” said Sim. “Vancouverites deserve better. Unfortunately, until we see a significant shift from the Province and VCH, we’re going to continue facing the same issues over and over again.”
The post Vancouver mayor to move urgent motion to block proposed overdose prevention site first appeared on Indo-Canadian Voice.Indo-Canadian Voice
