[LINK] "Ottawa eases rules for supervised consumption sites"

[rfmcdonald]

The Globe and Mail's Andrea Woo notes this decided progress for Toronto and Montréal, as the two cities try to deal with some of the problems of IV drug use.

Municipal politicians in Canada’s two largest cities are optimistic that new legislation aimed at clearing the path for more supervised consumption sites means they will finally be able to offer the harm-reduction service next year.

Ottawa on Monday tabled Bill C-37, which would overturn yet another piece of Conservative-era legislation and advance the Liberal government’s plan to approach drug use as a public-health issue.

Toronto recently submitted applications to operate three small-scale sites, and said they have long been needed; Montreal applied almost two years ago to have three supervised injection sites and one mobile unit. Vancouver, which is home to the only two sites sanctioned by Health Canada, recently applied to open two more.

City councillor Joe Cressy, who chairs Toronto’s drug strategy implementation panel, called Ottawa’s announcement a “good sign” and encouraging news for other cities.

The change would have no effect on Toronto’s applications, as they would be covered by the more stringent old rules. Toronto is also awaiting word on whether the Ontario government will fund the three sites.