In statements released almost simultaneously Friday morning, both Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Mayor Gregor Robertson and his NPA election rival supported the Supreme Court of Canada decision on Insite.
I am pleased this legal battle has now concluded and the uncertainty is at last removed, Robertson said in a prepared statement. I continue to support harm reduction facilities like Insite and the promotion of health care, prevention and treatment.
The mayors release did not say if he supported setting up additional injection sites in Vancouver, a suggestion he made during the 2008 election campaign.
In her statement also released Friday morning, NPA mayoral candidate Suzanne Anton also said she was very happy with the decision. But she did not lose an opportunity to take a shot at the mayor.
While today is a victory for care providers and the most vulnerable members of our society, there is obviously much more to do, her statement read. I have been very disappointed over the last three years to watch the foundation of Vancouver's Four Pillars strategy crumble.
Anton said if elected she would rebuild the Four Pillars strategy, launched by former NPA mayor Philip Owen as a strategy to combat drug addiction in the Downtown Eastside.
The court ruled Friday that Vancouver's controversial supervised-injection site should be exempt from federal drug laws.
The ruling, a unanimous decision, ordered an immediate exemption, with no deadline, allowing the facility to remain open.
with files from Bradley Bouzane, Postmedia News
