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Board of health votes in favour of safe injection sites in Toronto | Harm Reduction Articles



Summary/Abstract

The City of Toronto Board of Health voted unanimously to approve safe injection sites in three separate locations.

Content

 

Board of health votes in favour of safe injection sites in Toronto

 

 

After hearing from a long line of passionate deputants at City Hall, theboard of health unanimously voted Monday in favour of safe injection sites in Toronto.

The issue now heads to city council where it will be debated next week.

“It will not save every life due to accidental overdose. But [the sites] are part of a comprehensive strategy intended to support those who use drugs. Treatment, prevention, harm reduction and enforcement taken together are part of a broader solution,” Coun. Joe Cressy, who chairs the city’s drug strategy implementation panel, said at the board of health meeting.

The sites allow people to take illicitly-obtained drugs while supervised by nurses, in order to prevent overdoses.

In March, the city’s medical officer of health, Dr. David McKeown, released a report recommending city council support the approval of three sites.

If approved by council, the sites would be the Toronto Public Health building on Victoria Street near Yonge-Dundas Square, at the Queen West-Central Toronto Community Health Centre and South Riverdale Community Health Centre.

At the packed meeting on Monday, community activists and members of the public made emotional pleas to the board of health to have safe injection sites in the city.

Tragically, the meeting came just days after the death of 22-year-old Brooklyn McNeil, an advocate for safe injection sites in the city. McNeill overdosed and passed away on June 22.

McNeil’s name was brought up several times at the meeting. Deputants spoke about how she could have been saved if there had been a safe injection site in the city.

A video of her was also played at the meeting, showing her speaking at the board of health meeting back in March.

“All accidental overdoses I believe should be prevented or can be prevented by safe injection sites,” she said at the time.

 

Tracking Status

  • City Council adopted this item on July 12, 2016 without amendments.
  • This item was considered by the Board of Health on July 4, 2016 and adopted without amendment. It will be considered by City Council on July 12, 2016.
City Council consideration on July 12, 2016
HL13.2

ACTION 

Adopted 

 

Ward:All 

Implementing Supervised Injection Services in Toronto
 
City Council Decision

City Council on July 12, 13, 14 and 15, 2016, adopted the following:  

 

1.  City Council request the City Manager to provide the letter required by clause 56.1(3)(c) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act indicating that Council supports the implementation of small scale supervised injection services at Toronto Public Health (The Works), Queen West-Central Toronto Community Health Centre and South Riverdale Community Health Centre.

 
Background Information (Board)
(June 16, 2016) Report and Appendices A-G from the Medical Officer of Health on Implementing Supervised Injection Services in Toronto 
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-94548.pdf)

(July 4, 2016) Presentation from the Medical Officer of Health on Implementation of Supervised Injection Services in Toronto 
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-94790.pdf)
 
Communications (Board)
(June 23, 2016) Letter from Mohamed Lachemi, President and Vice-Chancellor, Ryerson University  (HL.Main.HL13.2.1) 
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/hl/comm/communicationfile-61709.pdf)
 
(June 26, 2016) E-mail from Roxana Ciobanu (HL.New.HL13.2.2) 
(March 21, 2016) Letter from Donna May, Founding member and Facilitator, mumsDU-moms united and mandated to saving the lives of Drug Users (HL.New.HL13.2.3) 
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/hl/comm/communicationfile-61811.pdf)
 
(June 27, 2016) Letter from Paul Seaman, Chair, Board of Directors, Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area (DYBIA) (HL.New.HL13.2.4) 
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/hl/comm/communicationfile-61814.pdf)
 
(June 15, 2016) Letter from Dr. Jeff Powis, Medical Director of Research and Infectious Diseases Consultant, Toronto Community Hepatitis C Program and Director, Antimicrobial Stewardship Program, Michael Garron Hospital, Toronto East Health Network  (HL.New.HL13.2.5) 
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/hl/comm/communicationfile-61820.pdf)
 
(May 27, 2016) Letter from Sarah Downey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Michael Garron Hospital (HL.New.HL13.2.6) 
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/hl/comm/communicationfile-61841.pdf)
 
(June 29, 2016) Letter from Kapri Rabin, Executive Director, Street Health (HL.New.HL13.2.7)
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/hl/comm/communicationfile-61862.pdf)
 
(June 30, 2016) Letter from Sheila Braidek, Executive Director, Regent Park Community Health Centre  (HL.New.HL13.2.8) 
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/hl/comm/communicationfile-61863.pdf)
 
(June 30, 2016) Letter from Axelle Janczur, Executive Director, Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services (HL.New.HL13.2.9) 
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/hl/comm/communicationfile-61868.pdf)
 
(June 29, 2016) Letter from Dr. Samantha Green, Chair, Health Providers Against Poverty, Family Physician, St. Michael's Hospital, Lecturer, University of Toronto (HL.New.HL13.2.10) 
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/hl/comm/communicationfile-61844.pdf)
 
(July 3, 2016) Letter from Lanadee Lampman, Parish Nurse, The Cathedral Church of St. James, Diocese of Toronto - Anglican Church of Canada  (HL.New.HL13.2.11) 
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/hl/comm/communicationfile-61845.pdf)
 
(June 30, 2016) Letter from Shamez Amlani, Chair, and Spencer Sutherland, Executive Director, Queen Street West Business Improvement Area (HL.New.HL13.2.12) 
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/hl/comm/communicationfile-61846.pdf)
 
(July 4, 2016) Letter from Maureen Fair, Executive Director, West Neighbourhood House (HL.New.HL13.2.13) 
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/hl/comm/communicationfile-61847.pdf)
 
(July 4, 2016) Letter from Queen West Residents for Safe & Caring Communities (HL.New.HL13.2.14) 
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/hl/comm/communicationfile-61849.pdf)
 
 
Communications (City Council)
(June 30, 2016) Letter from Michael Demian, Metro Drugs (CC.Main.HL13.2.15) 
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/cc/comm/communicationfile-61888.pdf)
 
(July 5, 2016) E-mail from Eileen Bagley (CC.Supp.HL13.2.16) 
(July 11, 2016) Submission from Lily Lina Lin (CC.New.HL13.2.17) 
(July 11, 2016) E-mail from Lily Lina Lin (CC.New.HL13.2.18) 
(July 10, 2016) Submission from Queen West Residents for Safe and Caring Communities (CC.New.HL13.2.19) 
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/cc/comm/communicationfile-62072.pdf)
 
(June 24, 2016) Letter from Mark Saunders, Chief of Police, Toronto Police Service (CC.New.HL13.2.20) 
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/cc/comm/communicationfile-62083.pdf)
 
(July 12, 2016) Petition from Lily Lin, on a supervised injection site at Queen West Central Toronto Community Health Centre (CC.New.HL13.2.21) 
(July 13, 2016) Letter from Chantel Marshall, Program Director, Urban Health Programs/Nursing Practice Lead, Sherbourne Health Centre (CC.New.HL13.2.22) 
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/cc/comm/communicationfile-62102.pdf)
 
(July 12, 2016) Petition from Councillor Joe Cressy, Ward 20, Trinity-Spadina, regarding supervised injection services, containing the names of approximately 3,154 persons filed during the Routine Matters portion of the meeting (CC.New) 
 
Motions (City Council)

1 - Motion to Amend Item moved by Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti (Lost)

That City Council amend the Board of Health Recommendation by deleting the words "Toronto Public Health (The Works), Queen West-Central Toronto Community Health Centre and South Riverdale Community Health Centre" and inserting the words "hospitals, pharmacies and/or medical clinics", so that it now reads as follows:

 

1.  City Council request the City Manager to provide the letter required by clause 56.1(3)(c) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act indicating that Council supports the implementation of small scale supervised injection services at hospitals, pharmacies and/or medical clinics .


Vote (Amend Item)

Jul-14-2016 11:59 AM

Result: Lost

Majority Required - HL13.2 - Mammoliti - motion 1

Yes: 4

John Campbell, Janet Davis, Michelle Holland, Giorgio Mammoliti 

No: 34

Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Ana Bailão, Jon Burnside, Christin Carmichael Greb, Shelley Carroll, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, Vincent Crisanti, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Justin J. Di Ciano, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Mary Fragedakis, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Jim Karygiannis, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam 

Absent: 6

Denzil Minnan-Wong, Ron Moeser, Cesar Palacio, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Michael Thompson 


Vote (Amend Item)

Jul-14-2016 12:00 PM

Result: Lost

Majority Required - HL13.2 Mammoliti - motion 1 - REVOTE

Yes: 2

Michelle Holland, Giorgio Mammoliti 

No: 36

Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Ana Bailão, Jon Burnside, John Campbell, Christin Carmichael Greb, Shelley Carroll, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, Vincent Crisanti, Janet Davis, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Justin J. Di Ciano, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Mary Fragedakis, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Jim Karygiannis, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam 

Absent: 6

Denzil Minnan-Wong, Ron Moeser, Cesar Palacio, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Michael Thompson 


Motion to Reconsider Vote moved by Councillor Shelley Carroll (Carried)

That in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 27, Council Procedures, City Council reconsider the vote on motion 1 by Councillor Mammoliti.


Motion to Adopt Item (Carried)

Vote (Adopt Item)

Jul-14-2016 12:01 PM

Result: Carried

Majority Required - HL13.2- Adopt the item

Yes: 36

Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Ana Bailão, Jon Burnside, John Campbell, Shelley Carroll, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, Vincent Crisanti, Janet Davis, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Justin J. Di Ciano, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Mary Fragedakis, Mark Grimes, Michelle Holland, Jim Karygiannis, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam 

No: 3

Christin Carmichael Greb, Stephen Holyday, Giorgio Mammoliti 

Absent: 5

Denzil Minnan-Wong, Ron Moeser, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Michael Thompson 


Point of Order by Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti

Councillor Mammoliti, rising on a Point of Order, stated that he would like to ask questions of staff and asked why Members went directly to speaking to the Item.


Ruling by Speaker Frances Nunziata
Speaker Nunziata, accepted the Point of Order and ruled that she had asked Members three times if they had questions of staff and not one Member had indicated they had questions. 

Point of Order by Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti

Councillor Mammoliti, rising on a Point of Order, stated that he would like to ask questions of staff.

 
Rulings (City Council)
Ruling by Speaker Frances Nunziata
Speaker Nunziata, accepted the Point of Order and ruled that Council would have to consent to questions of staff on this Item and put the proposal to a vote.

Vote

Jul-14-2016 10:15 AM

Result: Carried Majority Required - HL13.2 - Mammoliti - Ask questions of staff
Yes: 22 Jon Burnside, John Campbell, Christin Carmichael Greb, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Justin J. Di Ciano, Frank Di Giorgio, Mark Grimes, Michelle Holland, Stephen Holyday, Jim Karygiannis, Chin Lee, Giorgio Mammoliti, Josh Matlow, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, James Pasternak, Gord Perks, David Shiner, Michael Thompson, John Tory 
No: 13 Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Shelley Carroll, Joe Cressy, Janet Davis, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Mary Fragedakis, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon 
Absent: 9 Maria Augimeri, Raymond Cho, Vincent Crisanti, Joe Mihevc, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Ron Moeser, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, Kristyn Wong-Tam 
 
Board of Health consideration on July 4, 2016
 

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