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Spoiler alert: the debate regarding Consumption and Treatment Services sites in Cambridge could be coming back up very soon.
Cambridge MPP Belinda Karahalios alluded to it during an appearance on The Mike Farwell Show on 570 NEWS, pointing out Mayor Kathryn McGarry said she reached "some sort of approval" with the province for a site.
However, Karahalios said as of September 28, Cambridge has not filed an application for approval from the province, and nothing's been filed at the federal level for Health Canada approvals.
"It sounds like that a vote will eventually be brought to city council, to say whether or not they're going to put through an application to get the Health Canada exemption," she said, "And to ask for provincial funding too."
Karahalios went on to say that even though the community has been vocal, "our Mayor is unfortunately not listening to them."
The MPP, who sits as an Independent, was on the show to discuss how issues related to opioid addiction and homelessness could be tackled in the city.
She said a CTS site is not the answer.
"It doesn't solve addiction, it doesn't solve crime," she added, "We're not solving these problems with an injection site."
"And I have yet to see an example where an injection site has solved these problems."
But what can help?
Karahalios pointed to three key factors, and it started with enforcing "real laws, like break and enter. And not focus on fining people for having 11 people over for Thanksgiving dinner."
"Number two," she continued, "We do need treatment. We need rehabilitation. And number three, we need jobs."
"At the end of the day, that's the issue. People don't have a job...you need employment to make them feel like an active member of society."
The discussion would fall in line with Cambridge's plan of attack on the issue.
Earlier this year, city council decided to put CTS site discussions on hold until the Ward 7 byelection was held.
Now that Scott Hamilton has been elected, the time looks to be near.
The Mayor of Cambridge, Kathryn McGarry has since responded with a statement.
"I was very disappointed to learn that MPP Belinda Karahalios, who is sitting as in independent, gave misinformation to 570 News which was published online on Kitchener Today. The notion that I have had side discussions or the power to “reach some sort” of approval with the province for a potential CTS site is blatantly false and demonstrates a concerning lack of understanding of the process. Furthermore, discussions on specific site location have not started. First, a decision must be made on the recommendations of the planning study which examined land use policies for a potential CTS site. This was put on hold pending the Ward 7 by-election. Once the new councillor is sworn in, a new date will be set. After that time, potential sites will be considered and include a public consultation process. Please remember that as Mayor, I am one of nine Council members and have one vote under the democratic process. Decisions are voted on together during regular Council sessions. Council has already collectively made it clear that we do not wish to have a site in the core areas. Any potential service provider is responsible, with Council’s endorsement, to apply for provincial and federal approvals. CTS sites are now highly regulated by both the federal and provincial governments – in terms of site location criteria, community engagement, mandatory wrap- around services, debris clean up and monthly data reporting - and are only approved in communities where there has been a demonstrated need. There is a great deal of sensitivity concerning a potential consumption and treatment site location and community impacts, particularly in our downtown areas or near schools. At the same time, Cambridge and the Waterloo Region are dealing with the heartbreaking impacts of a global opioid crisis. Untrue comments and innuendos by MPP Karahalios are not helpful and add fuel to the divisiveness around this topic. Evidence has shown that consumption and treatment sites are an important part of a broader integrated drug strategy and response; this fact has guided Council in decision making to date. We need to work together – not against one another - to find an appropriate location in Cambridge which will help those who need it the most. A site will not only address urgent prevention overdose needs but will also serve as a pathway to access long-term supportive services and treatment."
