Episode 13 looks at the details behind the announcement from Point Douglas Councillor Vivian Santos that she’s turned thumbs down on Premier Wab Kinew’s plan to open a drug consumption site in her ward.
Part 1- A funny thing happened on the way to writing the Sunday column for the Winnipeg Sun.
Somehow, City Hall failed to put the first few hours of last week’s council meeting online. While waiting for speaker Devi Sharma to find out what happened, an email arrived that had been sent by Vivian Santos to stakeholders in the Point Douglas ward about the proposed safe consumption facility.
First, you’ll hear a ringing endorsement from a longtime journalist and political insider about our work covering the SCS issue – and how we’ve asked some very significant questions and held the government to account.
14.11 Part 2- 14.11 Part 2- The press release by Coun. Vivian Santos was sent so late on Friday, and the lede buried so deep, none of the broadcast newsrooms recognized the big news: that there’s now a deep rift in the “harm reduction” movement.
As we reported in the Winnipeg Sun:
“Minister Smith and I both represent Point Douglas, and I know she cares deeply about this community and the people we serve. While we share that commitment, I do not agree with this particular path forward and, at this time, I do not support opening a permanent supervised consumption site at 366 Henry Avenue.”
16.46- Listeners will hear the press release, the cover letter Santos sent to residents and business owners after 5 pm on Friday, and the 851 word statement explaining why she now shares the neighborhood’s fears of it being overwhelmed.
However, she also raised questions about Kinew considering better consultations and a more well-rounded approach to addiction treatment.
29.43- Santos also shut the door on answering any further questions. Hear what has gone on behind the scenes.
We have details of the repeated emails from concerned residents that have been sent to Santos, city council, Kinew, Smith, federal officials including area MP Leah Gazan, and public servants, seeking meetings to clarify their positions and explore ways that addictions programs can advance at less costs and with better results
*******
- The mandate of ActionLine.ca is to carry on the hard-nosed, ask tough questions approach pioneered on Winnipeg radio by Peter Warren.
- We receive NO government funding for our work holding governments, institutions and the legacy media accountable.
- When you contribute to our Season Seven Support campaign, those funds go to paying for web hosting, back-end and technical support, transportation and other costs that are incurred in our investigations and analysis of public affairs.
To make a donation, or to advertise on our podcast, please email martygoldlive@gmail.com