Below is an open letter co-signed from the regional Mayors of the Central Okanagan to Premier Eby, Solicitor General and Minister of Public Safety Farnworth and Attorney General Sharma asking for the Province to pursue its course of action in appealing the BC Supreme Court injunction on Bill 34. The letter also expresses support for broader public safety with the drug decriminalization pilot, and for more investments and access to treatment options.
"Dear Premier Eby, Minister Farnworth and Attorney General Sharma,
We, the collective of regional Mayors from the Cities of Kelowna, Vernon, West Kelowna, Penticton and Princeton along with the Districts of Lake Country, Peachland, Summerland and the Town of Oliver are writing to express our disappointment with the recent BC Supreme Court injunction decision suspending the enforcement of Bill 34, the Provincial Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act.
While we recognize and respect the Courts’ independence in its decisions, we urge for the Province to continue on the path that balances the needs of broader community health and safety in your consideration of the Province’s next legal steps and to preserve the continued enactment of Bill 34. We are pleased to see the statement put forward by the Province with plans to appeal the Courts’ decision.
We see, hear and experience the impacts of the opioid crisis, the public health emergency, decriminalization policies and gaps in the health and mental health care systems each and every day on our streets.
As Mayors, we were pleased when the legislation was tabled and advanced to Royal Assent through due legislative process. It was a clear response to your government hearing the concerns from local community leaders across the province on the need to strengthen public safety guardrails that considers the whole of communities as part of the Provincial decriminalization pilot.
We understand the drive from various public interest groups for compassion and efforts to remove stigma for those who use illicit substances. In the absence of the Provincial health system providing sufficient treatment centres and harm reduction sites that are readily and easily accessible for those who seek support for substance addiction, the scales are being tipped in the opposite direction. Our residents and businesses are experiencing continued escalating safety concerns and costs while frustrations continue to mount with the social discord on the streets of our cities."