Region of Waterloo begins search for supervised injection site locations
Mayor Craig moves to prevent supervised injection sites in downtown Hespeler, Galt and Preston
Waterloo region is a bit closer to getting proposed supervised injection sites after Waterloo Regional Council voted unanimously to go ahead with the next steps.
Regional council held a special meeting Tuesday morning to discuss if it should proceed with the second phase of the project — in which it will consider up to three supervised injection sites for the region and their potential locations.
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"Regional council recognized this is a four-pillar approach, and this is just one aspect of treating drug problems in the community," regional chair, Ken Seiling, told CBC News.
"The supervised injection sites have been determined to be one of he pieces, especially when it comes to saving lives."
Region of Waterloo Public Health has recommended one site in Kitchener centre, one in Cambridge with a potential third mobile location.
Not in Cambridge's downtown cores
Cambridge Mayor Doug Craig expressed concern over the location of the proposed supervised injection site in his city. He raised a motion asking for the region to consult with the City of Cambridge on the location and that it be outside the city cores.
"What we're trying to do is have a say in our community in terms of where we think things will go," Craig told council.
Craig's said his motion mirrors concerns voiced by Cambridge residents during a public feedback session on April 4.
Opinions were mixed at Tuesday's meeting, with the majority of councillors asking to have the motion deferred.
"I don't think it's unreasonable for Cambridge to advocate for their community and to make the point very clear about how the people of Galt feel," said councillor Sandy Shantz.
"But for me, I can't support this today. I think it's premature and I don't want to tie staff's hands in he final report. I would be prepared to defer this until the report comes in May."
Council voted to put off a decision on Craig's motion until May or June, when a report listing of potential supervised injection site locations is presented.