City stands behind OPS site

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The City of Fort St. John is showing its support for a new OPS site following a letter heard during December 12th’s regular council meeting.

In a letter on December 14th, the city stated that the provincial government holds the jurisdiction for the planning and implementing of the overdose prevention services, therefore, Northern Health does not require the City of Fort St. John’s approval.

However, Mayor Lilia Hansen still voiced her support for the OPS site.

“The ongoing opioid crisis in our community and throughout the province is a human tragedy that must be addressed,” Hansen said in a statement.

“The City of Fort St. John supports and recognizes the need for wraparound harm reduction services in our community with consideration to the appropriate location and safety measures of these services.”

The city also reiterated that Northern Health, through Urban Matters, will host public engagement sessions beginning in 2023 and that the city encourages residents to be involved in the engagement process.

Community members may also provide their input to Northern Health by emailing hello@northernhealth.ca or MLA Dan Davies at dan.davies.MLA@leg.bc.ca.

A November 28th letter from Angela De Smit, the Northern Health Chief Operating Officer for the northeast, was heard during December 12th’s regular council meeting.

In the letter, De Smit told the city that Northern Health had signed the lease for the new space at 10067-100th Avenue in Fort St. John, with intentions to use it as a wraparound harm reduction space.

The city’s letter can be viewed below: