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Over 100 individuals gathered in Richmond on Monday morning to protest against the British Columbia government’s policies on public safety and drug decriminalization. The rally, titled ‘Keep Richmond Safe,’ occurred shortly after the municipality canceled plans for a polarizing supportive housing facility.
Demonstrators conveyed a unified stance against low-barrier housing in their communities. Sheldon Starrett, a representative from Keep Richmond Safe, highlighted concerns over the impact of such housing on local drug issues. “The low-barrier housing is contributing to the drug problems that are affecting our communities,” he stated.
Starrett pointed out that Richmond already has two low-barrier housing sites, which, according to him, have caused significant disturbances in the surrounding neighborhoods. Protesters voiced fears that despite the recent cancellation of a 90-unit housing project at Cambie and Sexsmith roads, the provincial government might still revive the initiative.
Local Reaction and Political Oversight
BC Conservative Leader John Rustad, present at the rally alongside other MLAs, expressed the growing dissatisfaction among residents regarding the BC NDP government’s stance on drugs. This discontent centers around approaches involving harm reduction, drug decriminalization, and safe supply initiatives. “We need to focus on getting individuals off drugs and providing them with the necessary support to maintain sobriety,” Rustad emphasized, adding that existing measures like safe supply have not yielded the desired results.
Concerns over public drug use have prompted the provincial government to reconsider key elements of its decriminalization pilot project, which was initially introduced in April amid rising public unease. Additionally, the safe supply program has come under fire following revelations from a leaked Health Ministry document, which indicated investigations into the diversion of a significant amount of prescribed opioids.
Following the local backlash, the Richmond city council decided to cancel the supportive housing project, a decision that has led to disappointment from B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon. He stated that such housing is essential for combatting street homelessness. Kahlon noted that by 2027, two temporary housing sites in Richmond will see their leases expire, potentially leaving 90 individuals without shelter, thereby increasing the likelihood of encampments or individuals living in front of businesses.
Despite the city council’s decision, Kahlon assured that there would be strict regulations around the establishment of the housing project, including the absence of a supervised drug consumption site, as well as enhanced security measures such as surveillance cameras.
Source
globalnews.ca