CLEMENT TO ASSESS QUEBEC'S SAFE-INJECTION-SITE PLANS

Advocates in B.C. Upset in Light of Health Minister's Decision Last
Week to Contest Ruling That Validated Vancouver's Insite Program

OTTAWA, VANCOUVER -- Health Minister Tony Clement says his government
will not necessarily oppose safe-injection sites for illegal drugs in
Quebec even though it will appeal a court decision allowing a similar
facility in British Columbia. "It's a situation that we can discuss
with the province. There is no decision now, today," Mr. Clement said
when asked about the possibility that Quebec will set up a facility
like Vancouver's Insite.

"I am obligated to consider each situation as a unique situation.
That's my obligation as the Minister of Health."

Quebec jealously guards control of its health-care system and does
not take kindly to federal interference. But a safe-injection site
would require an exemption from the federal Controlled Drugs and
Substances Act.

Quebec Health Minister Philippe Couillard said yesterday that his
government is considering opening safe-injection sites where addicts
can inject drugs such as heroin under medical supervision. Like
Vancouver's groundbreaking Insite, the Quebec sites could offer
needle-exchange programs and help for addicts who want to quit.

"It is an option that is being evaluated, among others," said Marie
Claude Gagnon, a spokeswoman for Quebec's Ministry of Health.

It is too early to say how many of the sites could be established or
where, Ms. Gagnon said, adding that her government is interested in
controlling disease.

"It's part of a gamut of solutions for a clientele that are difficult
to reach," she said.

Mr. Clement's comments left some in British Columbia astonished given
the minister's criticism of safe-injection sites.

"If it's good enough for Quebec, it's good enough for B.C.," said
Allan Lowe, mayor of Victoria, which has been seeking three
safe-injection sites for several years. Mr. Lowe said he was
"delighted" Mr. Clement was willing to talk with the Quebec Health
Minister, but hoped he would also talk with George Abbott, the B.C.
Health Minister.

"What's good for one health minister in one province should be good
for another health minister in another province," Mr. Lowe said.

Mayor Sam Sullivan of Vancouver, a supporter of Insite, wondered
about Mr. Clement's views.

"It's either a case of treating Quebec differently or it's a case the
thinking in Ottawa is evolving," Mr. Sullivan said.

Thomas Kerr of the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, who has
conducted studies on Insite, said Mr. Clement's comments were in line
with contradictions in the government's handling of the issue.

"Nothing really surprises me fully at this point given how all over
the map this government has been on this issue," Dr. Kerr said.

Mark Townsend, a spokesman for the PHS Community Services Society,
which helps run Insite, called it "quite bizarre" that Mr. Clement
did not tell Quebec he opposes safe-injection sites.

"The only thing it could be is that Stephen Harper is prepared to
bend over backwards for Quebec," he said.

A spokeswoman for Mr. Couillard said the minister is examining a
British Columbia Supreme Court ruling which said that Insite's
injection-drug users have the right to protection from drug laws
under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Mr. Justice Ian Pitfield
gave the federal government until June 30, 2009, to redraft laws
against possession and trafficking of illegal drugs to accommodate
Insite's operation.

But Mr. Clement told the Commons health committee last week that he
would ask that the ruling be appealed. Injection not only causes
physical harm, he argued, but prolongs addiction.

Mr. Clement also said such programs divert funds from treatment - and
that a government-sponsored supervised injection site sends a very
mixed message.

"But my obligation, again, is to consider the unique situation of
each issue," he added.

Libby Davies, a New Democrat MP whose Vancouver riding includes
Insite, said it is obvious the federal Conservatives are "incredibly
sensitive" to what is going on in Quebec.

The Tories believe they could make gains in Quebec that would help
them form a majority government.

"They don't want to upset anybody in Quebec and they seem to be
writing off Vancouver and British Columbia. I'm appalled," Ms. Davies said.