City of Victoria Councillor Marg Gardiner has controversial motion defeated 7-1
Victoria council’s Committee of the Whole voted down a motion that would have asked Island Health to close the supervised consumption site at 941 Pandora Ave.
According to Councillor Matt Dell, council received roughly 450 letters supporting the site and about 20 opposing it ahead of the meeting.
The motion, brought forward by Councillor Marg Gardiner, argued the site has contributed to ongoing disorder and public safety concerns and called for a greater focus on treatment and recovery. A majority of councillors voted against it, including Councillors Chris Coleman and Stephen Hammond, who said closing the site without an alternative would likely increase harm rather than reduce it.
The motion ultimately failed, so the City will not be asking Island Health to close the supervised consumption site.