Vancouver council votes to oppose planned overdose prevention site downtown

Vancouver city council has voted to oppose a planned overdose prevention site in the city’s downtown, backing an urgent motion from Mayor Ken Sim following a recent announcement by the regional health authority.

Council approved the motion Tuesday along party lines, with all seven councillors from Sim’s ABC party voting in favour and four opposing. The motion directs the city to challenge the site planned for 900 Helmcken St., which Vancouver Coastal Health says it intends to open in June.

Coun. Peter Meiszner told council the city was notified of the location only last week, “despite many promises about community consultation,” according to the meeting record.

Sim said the city would “use all tools available” to block the facility. He criticized both the provincial government and Vancouver Coastal Health for what he described as a lack of local input and broader concerns over how the toxic drug crisis is being managed.

Vancouver Coastal Health has said the selected location is in an area with the second-highest overdose death rate in its region. It did not immediately respond to a request for comment following the council vote.

It remains unclear what authority the city has to prevent the site from opening, as overdose prevention services fall under provincial jurisdiction and are typically delivered through regional health authorities.