Boyle Street Community Services signed a lease in November of 2022 to occupy the space formerly Marbles hair salon in West Ritchie, a small retail location sandwiched between a bookstore, a clay studio, and a restaurant and located on a narrow zero lot-line pedestrian shopping street…
It defies logic that a former hair salon can be converted into a government funded ~2.1 million dollars annually (Overdose Prevention Site) without any government investigation into appropriatness of location through a risk assessment, or safe design requirements for an OPS. This failure of our government to consider the public's safety, as well as the safety of persons in need of such services, as well as the incompatibility of OPS with existing neighbouring uses and activities presents a significant safety concern.
This area is a place where families frequent and our children learn and play - and this oversight should be a concern of every Albertan.
The issue here is not about the need for OPS services, it is the inexplicable failure of our government to investigate or regulate appropriate locations and designs for OPS to responsibly integrate them into our communities to best serve their purpose and the public’s interests.
(The video below was filmed inside Insite OPS site in Vancouver, BC)
March, 2024
video click here
Evan Romanow the acting provincial Deputy Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
provided a response on May 23/2023 to the question of jurisdiction in OPS site selection
His response reads:
“As part of the licensing requirements, service providers must demonstrate that they have secured appropriate municipal zoning approval to offer supervised consumption services. Zoning and permitting matters are within the jurisdiction of municipal governments, and as such, I would encourage you to contact your local municipal representative. Each city in Alberta handles these matters differently and the provision of health services at a facility does not override a city’s jurisdiction.”
(Here is the link for the October 2023 council meeting and subsequent vote
in which Edmonton city council fails to direct appropriate separations around safe injection sites)
Please consider signing our petition below:
***Latest Related News - National Post Feb 15,2024
Neighbours suing supervised injection site linked to fatal shooting of Toronto mother
Realizing politicians and harm reduction activists are barriers to safety, a besieged neighbourhood fights back
Boyle Street spokespeople reference critical connections they could provide and connections to wrap-around services for users of the proposed site.
During Boyle Street's presentation at the last Subdivison Appeal Board hearing they provided data from the safe injection site run by Boyle Street at the Edmonton Convention Center for the period November 16, 2020 – April 30, 2021 after the closure of the downtown Boyle Street location. |
Notably, of the 8841 visits during that 6 month period, Boyle Street's own data on the number of individuals connected to additional support services contradicts their statement that the sites provide the meaningful connections to mental health and addiction support that is needed.
(During the 8841 visits over the 6 month period, there were 111 referrals to support services for drug use and interventions.) 1% |
*** It is important to note that Mustard Seed Neighbour Center (less than a half block away) from this proposed injection site already provides supportive housing and services for addiction recovery. The proposed Boyle Street site would be redundant with the services currently provided in the area with the exception of the safe injection component.
***Important Notice - Update Nov 27th 2023***
A second modified application has been approved by city planners for the proposed Overdose Prevention Site in West Ritchie (Old Strathcona)
After the first application by Boyle Street, the Subdivision Development and Review Board refused the development for what was described as a "Health Hub". A lengthy arbitration process that resulted in Boyle Street making a series of plan changes, much of which were presented and viewed by effected parties for the first time during the 2 day hearing, prior to the SDAB refusing the development.
In the SDAB decision it was determined that Boyle Street failed to provide the legally required and appropriate universal accessibility for their clients. This surprising omission included over a 12 inch rise to the principle entrance as well as broken curbing that would have presented a notable impediment to clients with mobility issues. A seemingly significant oversight given that this was initially described as a health care facility.
(A link to the preliminary ruling by the SDAB on the initial development application and its refusal is attached) (Here)
Following the initial application refusal, Boyle Street immediately re-applied for a permit making material changes to the plan and the description of use, and possibly the facility narrative (the City has refused a further detailed review of the plan and narrative changes with the new application). Without the further review and community consultation we are forced into a second appeal process to obtain these details.
***It should be recognized that the Provincial guidlines for what is now more appropriately described as an "Overdose Prevention Site" in the current application, requires community consultation. This revised description is more appropriate for public understanding of the nature of this facility, and accordingly should trigger a re-notification and a second series of public consulations.
The current re-application and new plan was reviewed by a Level 1 city planner and approved within one month without any further public engagement regarding changes, and without the normally required 6 month waiting period prior to re-application for previously refused developments.
See below the revised details for the new application, and the letter sent to residents and businesses in close proximity highlighting its approval by Planning Department.
(Nov 28th approval Letter sent by the City of Edmonton Planning Department here)
After the first application by Boyle Street, the Subdivision Development and Review Board refused the development for what was described as a "Health Hub". A lengthy arbitration process that resulted in Boyle Street making a series of plan changes, much of which were presented and viewed by effected parties for the first time during the 2 day hearing, prior to the SDAB refusing the development.
In the SDAB decision it was determined that Boyle Street failed to provide the legally required and appropriate universal accessibility for their clients. This surprising omission included over a 12 inch rise to the principle entrance as well as broken curbing that would have presented a notable impediment to clients with mobility issues. A seemingly significant oversight given that this was initially described as a health care facility.
(A link to the preliminary ruling by the SDAB on the initial development application and its refusal is attached) (Here)
Following the initial application refusal, Boyle Street immediately re-applied for a permit making material changes to the plan and the description of use, and possibly the facility narrative (the City has refused a further detailed review of the plan and narrative changes with the new application). Without the further review and community consultation we are forced into a second appeal process to obtain these details.
***It should be recognized that the Provincial guidlines for what is now more appropriately described as an "Overdose Prevention Site" in the current application, requires community consultation. This revised description is more appropriate for public understanding of the nature of this facility, and accordingly should trigger a re-notification and a second series of public consulations.
The current re-application and new plan was reviewed by a Level 1 city planner and approved within one month without any further public engagement regarding changes, and without the normally required 6 month waiting period prior to re-application for previously refused developments.
See below the revised details for the new application, and the letter sent to residents and businesses in close proximity highlighting its approval by Planning Department.
(Nov 28th approval Letter sent by the City of Edmonton Planning Department here)
***Even though it does not read as such, the best opportunity for you as a Alberta resident to state your concerns and participate in a second appeal exists by registering immediately (Before Dec 18th) to participate in a second hearing in the new year. You can attend to this hearing as a member of the public by registering with the SDAB***
(See registration details below)
Please make reference to the file number, stating your concerns in point form, and also making mention of your availability for hearing dates in the new year.
(See registration details below)
Please make reference to the file number, stating your concerns in point form, and also making mention of your availability for hearing dates in the new year.
Due to overwhelming concern regarding this flawed consultation process and the rapid re-approval, a letter to the associated provincial ministers has been sent and is attached for your review. (Letter to concerned Provincial Ministers here.)
Thank you for your timely consideration in this matter and we are looking forward to your attendance at the follow up appeal to express your concerns.
Thank you for your timely consideration in this matter and we are looking forward to your attendance at the follow up appeal to express your concerns.
** Please note that All Video Was Taken in Edmonton. .
|
Scona Concerned Citizens are opposed to the 81st Avenue location of the Boyle Street "Health Hub" as it includes street drug injection / consumption services.
Near the site are daycares, seniors centers, thousands of residents, and many businesses with hundreds of employees. *view location map here* After consuming street drugs (such as fentanyl, meth, crack and heroine) users, who are now high, will exit the site onto the street - with the resulting risks and consequences born by the community. The "hub" is to be located only a block from several other social agencies. This density of services will attract more homeless people (including those with addictions) to the area. With the high number and concentration of people who live, work and visit the area - an increase in Crime and decrease in Public Safety is unavoidable. Others in Edmonton need to join our opposition because this is not just a problem for Old Strathcona. The City of Edmonton has already approved zoning which would Permit a street drug consumption site (vaguely defined as a "health service") in many neighborhoods. These include Blatchford, Ambleside, Riverview, and Clairview. Additional "Discretionary" locations can also be approved by the City. Click on the Map below to confirm your neighbourhood zoning. *view zoning map here* If you are concerned a street drug consumption site might be opened in your neighbourhood - contact your City Councillor. City Council is currently considering new zoning bylaws. |
Boyle Street recently had their Strathcona Health Hub Development Permit revoked by the SDAB (Subdivision Development Appeal Board).
They stated they will however continue to seek necessary approvals to convert the beauty salon into a drug consumption site.
The Province of Alberta is purportedly committed to fund $2.15m per year for this street drug consumption site in the middle of a vibrant neighbourhood. This is a lot of money. It also seems to contradict the United Conservative Party election platform which promised bold actions to keep streets safe, and to focus on recovery based solutions for addiction.
Join us in asking the City and the Province to insist that Boyle Street Find A Better Location.
In helping those with addiction, we should not destroy existing vibrant neighbourhoods, jeopardize public safety, or put others in the community at risk of increased crime.
Recent tragic events have shed light on the realities of overdose prevention sites - the increase in crime, the risks to nearby people and communities, the disorder brought into a community, and the gaslighting by advocates which misdirects officials.
These "safe" consumption sites put others at risk - particularly when they are located near residents, daycares, and schools. We don't want this to happen in Edmonton. (please read articles below)
Canada’s safe injection sites a failure:
Toronto Sun - August 16, 2023
Make supervised drug-use sites safe for all:
Globe and Mail - August 19, 2023
The needles and damage done; Inside our neighborhood's battle over unsafe injection, crime and murder: National Post - August 23, 2023
Man on drugs stabs senior 'without provocation' near Whyte Avenue: EPS - CTV News Published Sept. 15, 2023
Find a Better Location.
URBAN SOCIAL ISSUES STUDY: (Conducted by the University of Lethbridge) - Jan 13th, 2020
IMPACTS OF THE LETHBRIDGE SUPERVISED CONSUMPTION SITE ON THE LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD (Click here to view report)
Site selection for safe injection sites
The proposed injection site in West Ritchie highlights a jurisdictional vacancy in provincial oversight and effective city planning. Development approvals should consider appropriate land use and follow policies to make Edmonton a safe and attractive place to live and do business. The City of Edmonton and the Province have set no guidelines for safe injection site selection. Additionally, there are no requirements for a risk assessment to determine potential impacts on the community prior to provincial licence approval. This is a void which allows for any independent third party to select a site in any one of 41 pre-existing land use zones. The obvious implication being that these sites could appear in any location, including next to a school, daycare, or a seniors' community. It is imperative that appropriate guidelines be set and followed by the Province and the City of Edmonton. There are currently 6 municipal zones approved for medical services such as those proposed by Boyle Street. This site would be a departure from any established conventions for zoning and use in the City of Edmonton and should not be provincially funded or licenced until the zoning and use definitions are reviewed and a risk assessment has been conducted.
More on City of Edmonton zoning Click here
City staff have recently approved a Supervised Consumption Service (SCS) in a DC2 Zone in a pedestrian-oriented Strathcona neighbourhood near daycares and a seniors’ residence. They determined that the SCS met the definition of a Health Service as described in Land Use Bylaw 12800.
A separate definition for Supervised Consumption Services in the new Land Use Bylaw is needed and to establish appropriate density and buffers from incompatible uses. Without such a change, many residents could find themselves living next to a Supervised Consumption Service at any time.
Do you know where these sites could be located in your neighbourhood? (Click the image below to find out more)
IMPACTS OF THE LETHBRIDGE SUPERVISED CONSUMPTION SITE ON THE LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD (Click here to view report)
Site selection for safe injection sites
The proposed injection site in West Ritchie highlights a jurisdictional vacancy in provincial oversight and effective city planning. Development approvals should consider appropriate land use and follow policies to make Edmonton a safe and attractive place to live and do business. The City of Edmonton and the Province have set no guidelines for safe injection site selection. Additionally, there are no requirements for a risk assessment to determine potential impacts on the community prior to provincial licence approval. This is a void which allows for any independent third party to select a site in any one of 41 pre-existing land use zones. The obvious implication being that these sites could appear in any location, including next to a school, daycare, or a seniors' community. It is imperative that appropriate guidelines be set and followed by the Province and the City of Edmonton. There are currently 6 municipal zones approved for medical services such as those proposed by Boyle Street. This site would be a departure from any established conventions for zoning and use in the City of Edmonton and should not be provincially funded or licenced until the zoning and use definitions are reviewed and a risk assessment has been conducted.
More on City of Edmonton zoning Click here
City staff have recently approved a Supervised Consumption Service (SCS) in a DC2 Zone in a pedestrian-oriented Strathcona neighbourhood near daycares and a seniors’ residence. They determined that the SCS met the definition of a Health Service as described in Land Use Bylaw 12800.
A separate definition for Supervised Consumption Services in the new Land Use Bylaw is needed and to establish appropriate density and buffers from incompatible uses. Without such a change, many residents could find themselves living next to a Supervised Consumption Service at any time.
Do you know where these sites could be located in your neighbourhood? (Click the image below to find out more)
Other Related News
Oshawa Tim Hortons shuts down in-person dining due to safety concerns for staff - Global News- January 24th, 2024
Alberta government releases report on supervised consumption sites - Global News- March 5, 2020
BATRA’S BURNING QUESTIONS: Leslieville safe injection site needs to be shut down, or taken over by Ford government - Toronto Sun - Aug 18/2023
Edmonton development appeal board revokes permit for Boyle Street's south-side health hub- CBC News · Posted: Jul 13, 2023 4:57 PM MDT
A woman has died after a daylight shooting outside a supervised injection site in Leslieville. (Toronto Star July 7, 2023)
"Proponents of supervised consumption sites say they make it safer for both users and the public, but Saunders said we should focus more on treatment so as to not “normalize” drug use."
Is a Street Drug Consumption Site Coming to Your Neighborhood ? - Edmonton Journal - Letter to the Editor
Alberta nurse practitioner raises the alarm on handling of crystal meth use and the addiction crisis- Global News April 13 2023
Opposition Builds!
CTV News Mar 28/23
Edmonton approves permit for 'health hub' that some in Ritchie, Strathcona are fighting
Times Colonist Feb 03/23
Controversial drug-consumption site shuts down in Nanaimo
Rdnewsnow Feb 03/23
Red Deer’s overdose prevention site going mobile; AHS taking over from Turning Point
Global news 6pm Jan 31/2023
Ritchie, Strathcona residents express frustration over public consultation
CTV 6pm news Jan 31/23
-'We want to have a voice': Community weighs in on Ritchie Boyle Street site at town hall
Global News Dec 22/2022
Some Edmonton business owners and residents concerned over proposed health hub with overdose prevention site in Old Strathcona
Letter to the Edmonton Journal Dec 22/22
-Increasing Community Concerns - Bad Neighbors in Old Strathcona
https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/letters/thursdays-letters-health-hub-unwelcome-in-old-strathcona
Oshawa Tim Hortons shuts down in-person dining due to safety concerns for staff - Global News- January 24th, 2024
Alberta government releases report on supervised consumption sites - Global News- March 5, 2020
BATRA’S BURNING QUESTIONS: Leslieville safe injection site needs to be shut down, or taken over by Ford government - Toronto Sun - Aug 18/2023
Edmonton development appeal board revokes permit for Boyle Street's south-side health hub- CBC News · Posted: Jul 13, 2023 4:57 PM MDT
A woman has died after a daylight shooting outside a supervised injection site in Leslieville. (Toronto Star July 7, 2023)
"Proponents of supervised consumption sites say they make it safer for both users and the public, but Saunders said we should focus more on treatment so as to not “normalize” drug use."
Is a Street Drug Consumption Site Coming to Your Neighborhood ? - Edmonton Journal - Letter to the Editor
Alberta nurse practitioner raises the alarm on handling of crystal meth use and the addiction crisis- Global News April 13 2023
Opposition Builds!
CTV News Mar 28/23
Edmonton approves permit for 'health hub' that some in Ritchie, Strathcona are fighting
Times Colonist Feb 03/23
Controversial drug-consumption site shuts down in Nanaimo
Rdnewsnow Feb 03/23
Red Deer’s overdose prevention site going mobile; AHS taking over from Turning Point
Global news 6pm Jan 31/2023
Ritchie, Strathcona residents express frustration over public consultation
CTV 6pm news Jan 31/23
-'We want to have a voice': Community weighs in on Ritchie Boyle Street site at town hall
Global News Dec 22/2022
Some Edmonton business owners and residents concerned over proposed health hub with overdose prevention site in Old Strathcona
Letter to the Edmonton Journal Dec 22/22
-Increasing Community Concerns - Bad Neighbors in Old Strathcona
https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/letters/thursdays-letters-health-hub-unwelcome-in-old-strathcona