Federal government to appeal B.C. court ruling on supervised injection sites

The federal government announced Thursday that it will appeal a B.C. court ruling on supervised injection sites.

The ruling struck down laws prohibiting possession and trafficking of drugs by those seeking help at such sites.

Health Minister Tony Clement told the Commons health committee that he will ask Justice Minister Rob Nicholson to launch an appeal of the decision.

The B.C. Supreme Court ruling this week allows the secure injection site on Vancouver's Downtown Eastside — known as Insite — to operate until at least June 30, 2009.

The facility began as a pilot project and has been allowed to operate under a section of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

The latest exemption was to expire June 30.