Edmonton approves permit for 'health hub' that some in Ritchie, Strathcona are fighting
Boyle Street Community Services is one step closer to operating a community health hub, including an overdose prevention site near Whyte Avenue in Edmonton.
The city sent a letter to neighbours dated March 21 informing them that a development permit for the location of 10119-81 Avenue has been approved, despite a loud outcry from hundreds of residents and business leaders.
"The city understands that this approval may not reflect the desired outcome of many residents," it reads.
"We encourage the community to work with the applicant to increase their understanding of the area and to help mitigate any potential issues."
But the fight is not over for a group called Scona Concerned Citizens.
They've gathered more than 1,000 signatures on a petition against the proposed health hub and handed out signs to businesses in the area that read "FIND A BETTER LOCATION" and "#FIGHTTHESITE."
"We really believe that in addressing addiction, you need to consider the location that you're going to and not destroy or harm existing successful communities," said Rob Bligh of the community group.
“Within 500 metres of the proposed site, there are all kinds of people that we put at risk by the site. So three daycares, four seniors residences, several thousand residents that live in apartments, condominiums and houses. There are hundreds of businesses with hundreds of more employees, and so the density of the location is a problem."
Sterling Derk and his store have been part of the Ritchie community for more than 40 years.
He worries the facility, if given final approval, will put a halt to revitalization in the area.
“I think the health hub is welcomed in the community, but the location, I question,” he told CTV News Edmonton.
“Over the past 42 years we haven’t seen much. And in the past 10 years, we’ve seen a dynamic shift. A focus less on Whyte Ave and more off-Whyte Ave. And I think this will put a stop to that.”
Following a heated public meeting in January, Boyle Street acknowledged it has a lot of trust-building to do around Edmonton's first potential overdose prevention services south of the river.
The facility would be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. At least six workers – including a nurse, social worker, and security – would always be on site.
Housing outreach workers, mental health counsellors, clean-up crews and cultural support workers would also visit the site throughout the week.
An estimated 15 to 30 clients would visit the site each day.
“I think there’s lots of people who live and work in the community, who own businesses in the community, who see the situation is getting untenable," communications manager Elliot Tanti said.
"They’ve had to reverse overdoses themselves and know that the challenges are getting really significant. Our goal here is to alleviate the concerns and ultimately lead to outcomes for a community that is really struggling right now.”
Health hubs are provincially regulated, so the site still requires approval from the Alberta government before it can open.
“We have been clear that we are exploring new supervised consumption service locations in Edmonton to serve areas with unmet need, including south of the river," said spokesperson Colin Aitchison in a statement.
"Alberta Mental Health and Addiction recently received a formal application from Boyle Street regarding this potential site and we will have more to say following its review.”
Boyle Street hopes to have the facility up and running by this fall at the latest.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Marek Tkach and Alex Antoneshyn
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A police photographer recounts the harrowing day of the Polytechnique massacre
Montreal crime scene photographer Harold Rosenberg witnessed a lot of horror over his thirty years on the job, though nothing of the magnitude of what he captured with his lens at the Polytechnique on December 6, 1989. He described the day of the Montreal massacre to CTV Quebec Bureau Chief Genevieve Beauchemin.
NDP's Singh forces debate on $250 cheques for more Canadians; Conservatives cut it short
With the fate of the federal government's promised $250 cheques for 18.7 million workers hanging in the balance, the NDP forced a debate Friday on a motion pushing for the prime minister to expand eligibility. The conversation was cut short, though, by Conservative MPs' interventions.
DEVELOPING Police believe gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO has left New York City
The gunman who killed the CEO of the largest U.S. health insurer may have fled the city on a bus, New York City police officials told CNN on Friday.
Purolator, UPS pause shipments from couriers amid Canada Post strike
Purolator and UPS have paused shipments from some courier companies as they try to work through a deluge of deliveries brought on by the Canada Post strike.
Northern Ontario man sentenced for killing his dog
WARNING: This article contains graphic details of animal abuse which may be upsetting to some readers. A 40-year-old northern Ontario man is avoiding prison after pleading guilty to killing his dog earlier this year.
Sask. father who kept daughter from mom to prevent COVID-19 vaccine free from additional prison time
Michael Gordon Jackson, the Saskatchewan father who withheld his then seven-year-old daughter from her mom for nearly 100 days to prevent the girl from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, was handed a 12-month prison sentence and 200 days probation on Friday, but credited with time served.
Health Canada says daily cannabis use hasn't changed much since legalization
Health Canada says daily cannabis use has remained stable since it was legalized in 2018.
Ticketmaster hidden fees settlement credits expected in 2025 following class-action lawsuit by Regina lawyer
A longstanding lawsuit against Ticketmaster is nearing its end, with a judge expected to approve the more than $6 million dollar settlement before the end of the year.
What is still being delivered? What to know about the Canada Post strike
With Canada Post workers on strike, many individuals and businesses are facing the challenge of sending and receiving mail. Here are the answers to some of Canadians’ most-asked questions.