Opinion  

Rob Shaw: Poilievre vows to shutter B.C.’s overdose prevention sites

Poilievre aims at drug sites

Photo: Janis Cleugh/Tri-City News.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre in Coquitlam on March 27, 2025. His most recent trip to B.C. saw him announce on April 6 that B.C.'s network of 50 overdose prevention sites would be eliminated under a federal Conservative government.

B.C.’s network of 50 overdose prevention sites would be eliminated under a federal Conservative government, Leader Pierre Poilievre said Sunday, as part of a campaign pledge that could dramatically change the province’s response to the overdose crisis.

Poilievre made the announcement in New Westminster, calling British Columbia the country’s epicentre of failed addictions policy.

“These are radical and extremely bizarre social experiments, and British Columbia has been ground zero for this massive, deadly Liberal failure,” he said.

“British Columbia is probably the worst place for fentanyl overdoses in the world as a direct result of Liberal-NDP policies.”

The Conservative proposal pledges to remove federal exemptions for overdose prevention sites under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act by Sept. 30.

Instead, overdose prevention sites would have around five months to apply to convert to supervised consumption sites, which would also be given stricter new rules for things like mandatory registration, direct connection to recovery services. Presumably, many overdose prevention sites, which operate with much lower requirements, would not meet the new higher threshold and cease to operate.

“We know that the drug consumption sites have been a total disaster here in British Columbia and around the world,” said Poilievre.

“We know the research shows that they do not save lives or protect the community. We also know that they cause a massive risk when they are near children.”

B.C. has approximately 50 overdose prevention sites, which are temporary locations where peers and non-medical staff can help with drug testing, witness drug use and respond in case of an overdose. The province has put more energy into this model, due to how quickly they can be opened and moved.

Supervised consumption sites have permanent locations, better-trained staff, wrap-around services and require more detailed federal-provincial co-operation and reporting.

The Conservatives propose to suspend any new supervised consumption sites “until clear evidence demonstrates they support recovery,” as well as place new rules on existing ones for registration of users, direct connection to recovery services and a ban on locations within 500 metres of places with children and seniors.

If enacted, the policies would put a Conservative federal government on a direct collision course with the BC NDP government on drug policy.

British Columbia has been steadily creating overdose prevention sites using emergency powers activated when the provincial health officer declared the addictions crisis a public health emergency in 2016.

Premier David Eby has fought to preserve them, despite public pushback they can lead to street disorder, crime, and open drug use that affects neighbouring residents and businesses. However, he stopped short of plans to add overdose prevention sites to public hospitals last year, amid criticism that increased open drug use inside health facilities was making staff and patients feel unsafe.

More than 16,000 people have died from toxic drugs in B.C. The coroner’s service has reported four months of slightly declining overall deaths, but also noticed in its most recent update last month that deaths amongst men are increasing and deaths in some communities, such as Fraser and Interior health, are also on the rise.

The federal Liberals have promised a “comprehensive strategy to address problematic substance use to end the opioids crisis” but not provided much detail on the framework.

The Conservative platform also calls for the full end of decriminalization, a program B.C. pioneered in 2023 with participation from the federal Liberal government.

Poilievre made frequent trips to B.C. in the last two years, demanding decriminalization be repealed. The Eby government at first resisted, saying it would stigmatize drug users, but then reversed that position due to public backlash and recriminalized public drug possession prior to the 2024 provincial election.

Poilievre, whose party is hoping to make gains in British Columbia seats at the expense of the NDP and Liberal parties, highlighted Eby’s reluctant moves that ultimately aligned with his position.

“I know that there has been a big change in the debate,” he said. “I mean, when I first made these points two years ago, everybody said it was very controversial.

“But I persisted, and now it seems that the British Columbia government is changing its position and moving slowly towards recovery. And I applaud that.”

Supporting Canada and Kelowna in uncertain times

City likes to buy Canadian

Photo: Contributed

Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas

Canadians take pride in supporting their own, and in Kelowna, city council and city staff share that commitment.

We want to see our businesses thrive, our workers succeed and our economy grow. In uncertain times, Canadians of all stripes are looking for ways to support one another, whether by checking labels at the grocery store or choosing to shop at Canadian-owned businesses.

What role does local government play in that? As a council, our priority is protecting the people of Kelowna—supporting workers, businesses and the local economy—while also doing our part for Canada. One of the most direct ways we can serve the national interest is through procurement, ensuring we buy Canadian whenever we can.

The City of Kelowna already prioritizes Canadian suppliers wherever possible. In fact, currently 99% of our suppliers are Canadian. This is because our value-based procurement system recognizes the value of local expertise.

By considering factors such as knowledge of Canadian regulations, local service capacity and familiarity with Kelowna’s specific needs, our process naturally favours homegrown businesses, helping to keep tax dollars in our community and our country.

A great example of this is the new Kelowna sign being installed in Stuart Park. Through our procurement process, five designers are being considered for the project—all of them Canadian.

That said, the city’s procurement policy hasn’t been updated since 2017. Given the uncertainty and potential impacts of the current trade environment, now is an appropriate time to review it. We want to explore whether there are additional ways to strengthen our support for local and Canadian businesses while continuing to ensure the best value for taxpayers.

However, municipal purchasing isn’t just about preference, it must also be practical, legally sound and fiscally responsible. Trade agreements, negotiated at the federal and provincial levels, set the framework for municipal procurement. While those agreements ensure fair access to markets, they also place restrictions on policies that would mandate a "Canadian-only" approach. There are, however, exemptions based on dollar thresholds, project types and other criteria that allow some flexibility.

At the same time, we must acknowledge the realities of running a city the size of Kelowna. Some materials, equipment and specialized services simply aren’t available in Canada. A rigid procurement policy that ignores those realities could lead to delays, increased costs or gaps in service. We cannot risk undermining sound financial management or delaying critical infrastructure projects that our growing city needs.

Additionally, shifting away from American suppliers is not something that can happen overnight. Canada and the U.S. have highly integrated economies, with businesses on both sides of the border co-investing and co-developing goods and services. A sudden and inflexible shift in purchasing could have unintended consequences, such as higher costs for taxpayers, disruptions for local businesses and suppliers that rely on cross-border trade or delays in major infrastructure projects.

We are taking a proactive approach. Our staff have already assessed Kelowna’s economic exposure to U.S. trade and identified key areas of risk. To mitigate potential impacts, we are exploring alternative Canadian suppliers, strengthening interprovincial supply chains, ensuring contingency plans are in place for cost escalations and monitoring economic relief programs that could help offset financial pressures.

It is also important to note that neither the provincial nor federal governments have mandated changes to procurement policies in response to trade disputes. As a municipality, we align our approach with broader government directives while continuing to advocate for the best interests of our community.

The trade situation remains highly fluid and the economic outlook is shifting daily. Council’s priority is clear—protect the people of Kelowna during these challenging times by supporting our workers, businesses and the local economy while ensuring responsible financial management and uninterrupted services.

Kelowna’s procurement strategy is practical, patriotic and results-driven. We support Canadian businesses every day and by reviewing our procurement policy, we’re exploring ways to do even more to keep contracts and dollars in our country whenever possible.

By staying adaptable, forward-thinking and committed to value, we can continue to strengthen our local economy, support Canadian businesses and deliver the best possible outcomes for the people of Kelowna.

Tom Dyas is the mayor of Kelowna.

Rob Shaw: Fixes to Eby's controversial tariff bill don't go far enough, say business leaders

Eby didn't go far enough

Photo: Flickr

Premier David Eby’s decision to back down on the most contentious clause of his anti-tariff legislation has deflated what was a crisis situation into a throbbing political headache. Yet his government still faces a rough ride on the remainder of its proposal.

Three of the business groups that helped push back on Bill 7 say it’s not good enough for government to simply drop the clausethat gave cabinet unfettered power to bypass the legislature and change any law for two years (known as part four of the bill), because the remainder of the legislation also contains problematic overreach.

The bill enables cabinet to do three additional things: End any government contracts with American firms and protect the officials who do so from legal ramifications; enable B.C. to tax American supply trucks that use B.C. highways and ferry terminals, with fines and details to be set later by cabinet order; and lower interprovincial trade barriers by treating products in other provinces like they were created in B.C.

All come with two-year sunset clauses.

“We remain concerned about the board powers over procurement and infrastructure pricing,” wrote the Business Council of B.C.

“Part two allows the Cabinet to issue procurement directives that are arbitrary, without legislative scrutiny, bypassing financial controls, and shielding officials from liability. Part three enables cabinet to impose new tolls, fees, and charges on provincial infrastructure without debate or consultation.

“These broad powers raise concerns about transparency, oversight, and the potential for unintended financial impacts on businesses, workers, and consumers.”

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business agreed.

“Significant problems remain with the legislation,” it wrote.

“Part two allows the cabinet to issue arbitrary procurement directives while shielding officials from liability. This has the potential for the province to repeat the mistakes it made with Community Benefits Agreements, which increase costs and delays for public projects.”

Community Benefit Agreements were an NDP policy set in 2017 that required workers on designated government projects, like hospitals, to be members of certain unions. It added significant costs, and critics say it was a taxpayer-funded giveaway to NDP-friendly unions. Eby has mostly backed away from the policy.

The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade called on the premier to simply push forward the interprovincial trade measures and leave everything else in Bill 7 behind.

“We continue to call on the government to only advance the measures related to removing barriers to trade within Canada and not pursue the other parts of Bill 7,” wrote CEO Bridgitte Anderson.

The BC Greens also say they aren’t satisfied with the changes to Bill 7, with MLA Rob Botterell calling it “a work in progress.”

“We have been critical of this bill, and have introduced a variety of amendments to the government,” he said in a statement. “Still, we have serious concerns.”

The reason Bill 7 remains such a mess can be traced squarely back to the NDP’s decision to cram four separate policy proposals together into one piece of legislation.

It could have made them four individual bills, and likely garnered unanimous support for the interprovincial trade measures alone.

But the party wanted to use legislation as a wedge to paint anyone with concerns — mainly the Opposition BC Conservatives — as anti-Canadian, Donald Trump sympathizers.

It was an overreach. And the premier’s initial defence, to suggest an election on the issue, compounded the mistake.

Now, the government is left with a mess. One provision of the bill is widely supported. Two provisions are widely opposed. A fourth was such a disaster it tainted everything else before it was removed.

All of which makes a pretty compelling case for the government to withdraw Bill 7 entirely and start over from scratch.

Making life in Kamloops sweeter and happier

Changes to Kamloops

Photo: KTW file

The kids wading pool in Prince Charles Park in Kamloops

With spring pushing its way into our lives, I think it is time to revisit some thoughts I shared in the past.

It was a beautiful, sunny day back then when I wandered into Prince Charles park and watched children playing in the wading pool there. It was just another wonderful day in Kamloops, except the wading pool took on special meaning that resonates today, courtesy of a small plaque on the pool marking its beginning.

Sixty-eight years ago, the city built that pool. On the northwest corner of the pool is a plaque which reads, “To make life sweeter and the world happier."

It certainly has done that, providing not just fun for children but bringing together community. That is what builds Kamloops—our drive to make things better, and to strengthen community.

We have that opportunity again today. The legal challenge against the Alternative Approval process the city used to move forward with its Build Kamloops vision has ended. The city can soon put shovels in the ground to build a performing arts centre and the much-needed arena multiplex.

Those are amenities that will help our community grow, just as that small wading pool did back in 1957. Kamloops is no longer that dusty cowtown I wrote about in the past. The stockyards are gone and the Pavilion Theatre was built in its place but it is a venue that is now inadequate for large performing arts events.

Sandman Centre was built where the land was housed a slaughterhouse. We built the Tournament Capital Centre on vacant land and we now host many major sporting events, as Canada's “Tournament Capital.”

The vision our city had when it gave our kids a place to splash and play lives on. As we build in Kamloops, we grow community. We make life sweeter and our world happier.

Nancy Bepple is a Kamloops city councillor.

Municipalities and the impact of buying Canadian

Cities that 'Buy Canadian'

Photo: Contributed

Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes

In municipal procurement, Buy Canada policies aren’t so easy

As Canadian consumers respond to U.S. import tariffs by boycotting American products, many municipalities across the country are also looking at how they can join the ‘Buy Canadian’ movement.

While some large cities like Toronto are looking to cancel procurement contracts with American firms, the reality is that small communities like Summerland have very few direct dealings with U.S.-based companies.

The District of Summerland does purchase U.S.-made goods, such as water and sewer pipes, but they are typically procured through local suppliers. Those companies support other local businesses and many are now looking to source even more materials from regional and Canadian producers. Indeed, shopping local is something we can all do.

Still, the transition away from U.S. goods and services won’t happen overnight. North American economies are highly integrated, involving much co-investing and co-development. About US$2.5 billion worth of goods and services cross the Canada-U.S. border every day with most of Canada’s exports— from wood to auto parts—being used for value-added products manufactured in the U.S.

That blending of supply chains can create confusion over a product’s country of origin and complicate the implementation of Buy Canadian policies.

We want to give preference to Canadian products and companies because if a business shuts or slows down due to tariffs, it’s the local economy that will feel it most. However, we don’t want to drown local suppliers in red tape by making them prove their products are sufficiently “Canadian” to be eligible to bid on contracts.

As we review our municipal procurement policies in the wake of the trade war, we need to ensure we don’t inadvertently harm the Canadian suppliers we’re trying to protect. Nor do we want to compromise municipal operations and service delivery to the public, or disregard financial responsibility by overpaying on contracts.

It should also be noted Canada has 15 free trade agreements covering 51 countries, so it’s important that a Buy Canadian purchasing policy doesn’t become a de facto boycott of goods from all our other trading partners. As the U.S. slides towards protectionism, we can best insulate ourselves by diversifying our trade relationships.

The tariff situation—both the U.S. tariffs and Canadian counter tariffs—has been chaotic and is changing constantly. Local governments in the B.C. Interior are actively sharing knowledge and discussing approaches so that we may coordinate measures and act together when and if necessary.

Local government is also working with the provincial and federal governments through the Union of BC Municipalities and Federation of Canadian Municipalities to ensure a concerted Team Canada approach to the tariffs.

On March 11, mayors and regional district chairs from around the province joined a zoom call with Premier David Eby, Municipal Affairs Minister Ravi Kahlon, and Minister of State Brittny Anderson to share insights on the impacts of the tariffs on our communities.

Eby spoke of aligning procurement policies across all orders of governments, however neither the provincial nor federal governments have yet made changes to their purchasing practices or issued any directives to local government.

The District of Summerland is therefore currently staying the course with its existing policies and trade agreement obligations, while making every effort to buy Canadian where possible.

Doug Holmes is the mayor of Summerland.