One NPA director steps down, another sparks online anger, and the mayor is sued for defamation.
Melanie Green is a Tyee contributor. She has worked as an associate producer for the CBC and a reporter for the Star Vancouver. SHARES NPA board member Wes Mussio is among those suing the mayor for defamation. On Monday, he caught fire for tweeting he was in Florida and ‘heading to Tampa Bay for the start of Super Bowl party week’ amidst the pandemic.
Photo from a YouTube video about personal injury law.
The past two weeks have been eventful for the Non-Partisan Association.
Health Canada Agrees to Discuss Decriminalization of Simple Drug Possession, Vancouver Mayor Says
Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart says Health Canada has agreed to start formal discussions on the city’s plan to decriminalize possession of small amounts of illicit drugs.
The confirmation from federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu came in response to the city council voting in November to ask Ottawa to decriminalize simple possession of all illicit drugs for personal use.
In her letter to Stewart and Dr. Patricia Daly, chief medical health officer for Vancouver Coastal Health, Hajdu said Health Canada will work with officials from the City of Vancouver and the local health authority to better understand the proposed framework.
On Wednesday, Stewart expressed his gratitude to the federal government and Health Canada for its “attention and dedication” to the file.
“This news comes at a time when the overdose crisis in our city has never been worse, with a person-a-day still needlessly dying due to poison drugs,” he said. “I am hopeful that this news from Ottawa can mean that 2021 will be different.”
In her correspondence with Vancouver, Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu said she is “committed to our continued work to identify options that respond to the local needs” of the city.
“As we work through the details of your exemption request, I will also help you explore policy measures you identify that will address and alleviate the death and suffering caused by the opioid crisis, a tragedy exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” she wrote. “Health Canada officials will work with officials from the City of Vancouver and Vancouver Coastal Health to better understand the framework you ar
OTTAWA - Under fluorescent lights, Wendy Muckle surveys the supervised consumption site that sits in quiet contrast to Ottawa's peppy ByWard Market nearby.U
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