Timmins council debates merits, impact of safe consumption site in the city
Timmins’ temporary safe consumption site is set to close at the end of the month and this week, city council debated its importance in tackling the city’s addiction issues.
Some councillors suggested there has been more social disorder with Safe Health Site Timmins around, while others say it’s a critical tool to save lives.
One city councillor moved to revoke the city’s support for making the site permanent.
“We really didn’t understand how much of an effect it would have,” said Coun. Bill Gvozdanovic.
Gvozdanovic said issues like public intoxication and violence worsened with the opening of the site.
But that’s a minority opinion, as others highlighted that it’s saving lives and improving the city.
“All the things that this place has done for the better, it’s going to undo and they’re going to go back downtown,” said Coun. Cory Robin
“This is fact,” added Coun. Andrew Marks.
Timmins’ temporary safe consumption site is set to close at the end of the month and this week, city council debated its importance in tackling the city’s addiction issues. (File)
“I don’t like living in a community that requires one, but I do.”
Mayor Michelle Boileau said she was concerned about the impact of closing the site.
“Without knowing what door they’ll be able to go through, I’m concerned about what their well-being and what the fate of our residents will be,” Boileau said.
First funded by the city, now the local hospital, the site is awaiting a provincial review of safe consumption sites, putting the fate of these facilities in limbo.
The Timmins and District Hospital is also applying for provincial funding to develop an all-in-one complex for mental health and addiction services.
One councillor said that would be the perfect location for a permanent safe consumption site.
Provincial responsibility
“This belongs at a full-service treatment facility, where the person who comes in and accesses the service, and gets a potential referral, just needs to walk down the hall,” said Coun. Steve Black.
Some councillors said the province has a duty to fund safe consumption sites and efforts to deal with the resulting social disorder from their clients.
“This shouldn’t be in my lap,” Marks said.
“I shouldn’t have to deal with this.”
“The provincial government and federal government are failing this issue,” Black said.
This as the city aims to improve safety through its security and outreach projects.
“It’ll be interesting, once we’ve seen a full cycle through the year, to determine whether there has been an impact,” Boileau said.
Black said the future of the city depends on getting this right.
“This is the No. 1 issue we face as a community,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
Trudeau must more publicly support ICC decisions amid Israel-Hamas war: ex-ministers
A group of prominent former politicians and current academics is asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to change his tone on the possibility of arrest warrants for senior Israeli leaders.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.
Infant dies in ATV crash, N.S. RCMP says alcohol may be a factor
An infant has died and three others, including another child, were taken to hospital following an ATV crash in Forties, N.S., on Monday.
Police clear intersection of pro-Palestinian protesters on UBC campus
Police cleared pro-Palestinian protesters from a main intersection at the University of British Columbia campus in Vancouver on Wednesday.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's housing plan defeated in House of Commons
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's housing bill has been defeated in the House of Commons with the Liberals, New Democrats and Bloc Quebecois voting against the legislation.
'Scandals and secrets': On board the world's most exclusive private residential ship
It’s a floating city exclusively home to the 1 per cent, a playground for multimillionaires and billionaires that circumnavigates the world's oceans.