So Yaffe’s Wednesday column (which I talked about yesterday) about how Insite would not be challenged by the conservative government if it were in Quebec has turned out to be sadly prescient.
Today, the Globe is reporting that Federal Conservative Health Minister Tony Clement is willing to consider Quebec’s request for an injeciton site even as he works to shut down the site in Vancouver. For a party that was supposed to let the west in, this is a complete outrage.
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…
…”I am obligated to consider each situation as a unique situation. That’s my obligation as the Minister of Health.”
Appalling. Apparently the local consensus reached in Vancouver about this approach means nothing to this government. Nor apparently, do the votes in Vancouverites. With this move it is hard to imagine the Conservatives winning any seats in Vancouver.
eaves.ca 
Unbelievable.
I am so tired of every single government decision being about politics instead of leadership.
This is awesome. It is as if Harper and company have forgotten what launched the Reform Party in BC. I can guarantee that if Clement allows a Quebec site to go ahead well all the while trying to close the one in Vancouver, Conservative support in the Lowermainland will drop 5% to 10% overnight. Take a small issue and make it a huge one. I love it.
Unbelievable. I am so tired of every single government decision being about politics instead of leadership.
This is awesome. It is as if Harper and company have forgotten what launched the Reform Party in BC. I can guarantee that if Clement allows a Quebec site to go ahead well all the while trying to close the one in Vancouver, Conservative support in the Lowermainland will drop 5% to 10% overnight. Take a small issue and make it a huge one. I love it.
While I don’t want to recite the platitudes that Canadians like myself have learned by heart about corruption and kickbacks, this story tempts me to. Beyond the faulty logic itself and double standard, it also demonstrates something that’s wrong with both the Conservatives and this country’s politics in general: the only way that things get done is by playing one province off another. The facile response to this would be that this the way that it’s always been done. But that doesn’t mean it has to be like that in the future. Will no one stand up and attempt to represent Canada rather than use the Canadian public as a means for electoral machination?
While I don’t want to recite the platitudes that Canadians like myself have learned by heart about corruption and kickbacks, this story tempts me to. Beyond the faulty logic itself and double standard, it also demonstrates something that’s wrong with both the Conservatives and this country’s politics in general: the only way that things get done is by playing one province off another. The facile response to this would be that this the way that it’s always been done. But that doesn’t mean it has to be like that in the future. Will no one stand up and attempt to represent Canada rather than use the Canadian public as a means for electoral machination?
great article!, grats for u site :)
Good news and hope will implemented soon