CONTROVERSIAL CLINIC WILL STILL MOVE TO NEW LOCATION

'We Couldn't Stop It If We Wanted To,' Says Nanaimo's
Mayor

Despite lack of consultation by the Vancouver Island Health Authority,
a controversial health clinic and needle exchange will move to a new
location in the new year.

After a long meeting on Monday between city officials, VIHA and the
Nanaimo Area Resource Services for Families, which will run the
clinic, a news release said everything but the clinic will move from
Cavan Street despite opposition from surrounding businesses.

Mayor John Ruttan said it means the city had no way to oppose VIHA's
decision to open the clinic.

"I know some residents will be very uncomfortable . . . we did all we
could do to stress to VIHA and NARSF that we want their assurance they
will do all they can do to mitigate disruption," said Ruttan. Eric
McLean, president of the Old City Quarter association which has
continued to oppose the clinic's location at 375 Franklyn St., said
they will not change their position.

"We're still going to oppose it, it's really an inconvenient time for
everybody," he said.

Ruttan said they were told by VIHA and NARSF that after a long search
the Franklyn Street location was the only suitable location. The only
option the city had was to refuse VIHA a business licence for
non-compliance, and Ruttan said he was unsure if they could win such a
case were it to go to court.

"We couldn't stop it if we wanted to," said Ruttan.

He said that VIHA and NARSF produced evidence that NARSF did extensive
research, narrowing it down to the Franklyn Street location, and about
the importance of the clinic.

The new release states that the needle exchange is only about 10% of
the activities at the clinic and that they are committed to working
with residents and the city.

Last week MLA Ron Cantelon contacted the Ministry of Health asking
that they intervene to have VIHA "step back" to reconsider the
location of the clinic. Cantelon is currently on holidays and declined
comment.

Ruttan said that VIHA agreed there was a lack of consultation and the
former mayor, Gary Korpan, said that even if VIHA did try to reach him
in November that was inadequate. There is no record at city hall of
Dr. Richard Stanwick, VIHA's chief medical officer of health, calling
Korpan and leaving a message about the clinic and Korpan has asked for
another review of city hall records.

He said that in 2007 VIHA agreed with the city to consult with council
and community neighbourhoods prior to any harm reduction activities
after a failed effort to hand out crack pipes.

"I don't consider leaving a message or claiming to leave a message
full consultation," said Korpan.

He said the agreement is very clear about "full consultation."

"I doesn't appear that this happened," said Korpan.

McLean said the joint statement from the city and VIHA reveals the
same thing.

"This is an example of how VIHA consults with the neighbourhood --
it's pathetic," said McClean.