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The province announced Monday that a new sobering and assessment centre is being created in downtown Prince George while 50 supportive housing units are being built a few blocks away.
PG mayor voices opinions on drug plan, tent city concerns
SHARE ON: PG Mayor Lyn Hall hosted an online Talktober session. (Photo supplied by City of Prince George Instagram)
The City of Prince George is taking a methodical approach when it comes to Vancouver’s drug decriminalization plan.
Mayors from Victoria, Nanaimo, Saanich, Burnaby, Port Coquitlam, New Westminster, and Kamloops signed a letter to support the Vancouver model and would like Ottawa to follow suit.
Mayor Lyn Hall believes the issue of simple drug possession is heading in the right direction.
“I think that what we have seen over the last two or three years with the marijuana piece and the decriminalization of small amounts. Look at what we have seen with cannabis stores in the community and across the province, this is really the next step for discussion.”
At last night’s meeting (Monday), City Council passed the first three readings as it’s meant to combat issues like aggressive panhandling and temporary shelters.
Kerry Pateman with Community Partners Addressing Homelessness told
MyPGNow.com this is nothing more than a band-aid solution.
“Really, those living in poverty and staying on the street cannot afford to pay fines, so number one it is not going to work and we believe it will just move the situation around not really making it a solution.”
She believes the city would have been better off allowing camping in a certain area instead of issuing eviction notices.