MEDICINE HAT, AB — City Council’s Chief Administrative Officer provided an update on alternative options surrounding the supervised consumption site.
On February 4, Councillor Julie Friesen put forward a motion, which was approved by a unanimous vote.
The motion read:
“In view of the public safety and business concerns observed in our and other communities in Southern Alberta arising from the advent of supervised consumption sites, let the CAO be directed to investigate all options available to the City of Medicine Hat to deal with these public safety and business concerns.”
As a result, during the past two weeks the CAO has been consulting with the public, surrounding businesses, legal council and HIV Community Link.
In addition, data was collected about the area around the site.
“We also commenced a collection of baseline data in the area proximal to the proposed site to ensure that we can see if there really is an increase in crime rates, for example or a decrease in property values,” says Robert Nicolay, chief administrative officer with the city. “We can gauge that after the fact and perhaps do something about it.”
Nicolay says during his research he noticed three themes for possible options moving forward.
The first area explores whether Health Canada and Alberta Health Services have a right to do what they’re doing.
“Having a look at whether or not the authorities really did have the right to do what they’re doing,” says Nicolay. “So is it okay for Health Canada and Alberta Health Services under existing legal framework to come into Medicine Hat and locate a supervised consumption site.”
The second looks at whether the correct processes were followed.
“We’re also looking at whether or not the procedures were followed,” says Nicolay. “Everything that they are doing now was covered in prescribed procedure and we are able to see whether or not we think that procedure was properly followed.”
A specific process Nicolay is focusing on is the consultation process.
“The big one that topic today is consultation,” says Nicolay “That process is still ongoing so they haven’t concluded it yet, so we’re watching very closely and hopefully we’ll be able to urge them to do that as thoroughly as possible.”
The final theme is what the city can do to keep involved parties safe, in the event that the site goes through.
“What can we do to help, so if it’s a factor, fait de comply, that a supervised consumption site is going to open and if there’s a perception or perhaps a reality that it would have an impact on our community, what can the city of Medicine Hat do to help.”
As of now, Nicolay says he has no specific time frame for when his research will be completed, but he hopes to update council during regular council meetings.
In addition to searching for options, Council has also expressed interest in sending a letter to the federal or provincial health minster expressing concerns on the consultation process, and a lack of control.
“These are tearing communities apart, you are dumping these in the middle of our community and other communities and you’re leaving the mess to the municipality to clean up,” says Mayor Ted Clugston. “We just maybe want you to think twice before you do that.”
Clugston says Council invited Medicine Hat’s MLA Robert Wanner to Tuesday’s meeting, but he declined to attend.
“I did ask the MLA once again to come here tonight, he refused to come to open council and face the citizens on this or answer any of our questions again.”
