During a public services committee Thursday, city councillors voted to postpone setting a public advisory committee on medically supervised injection sites.
On May 2, city council voted 10-1 in favour of writing a letter of opinion to seek federal exemption to bring safe injection services to Edmonton. The letter is a requirement of the process.
READ MORE: Edmonton city council moving ahead with safe injection services
The medically supervised injection services will be offered at four locations: Boyle McCauley Health Centre, Boyle Street Community Services and the George Spady Society – which are all north of downtown near Edmonton’s Chinatown area. Medically supervised injection services would also be offered at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, but only for patients.
Members of Edmonton’s Chinese community attended Thursday’s meeting to voice their opposition to the plan. They called Thursday’s decision by councillors a small victory.
Residents of the McCauley and Central McDougall neighbourhoods were also in attendance to voice their disapproval of any such services.
READ MORE: Opponents of safe injection services near Edmonton’s Chinatown plan protest
Earlier this year, a survey was conducted with residents and businesses within a four-block radius of the three agencies that will be offering the services.
READ MORE: Edmonton MP weighs in on safe injection sites, city councillors fire back
While questions were raised about the close proximity of the sites, 74 per cent of the 1,869 respondents agreed with the proposed approach.
No timeline was given when council will revisit the issue.