(Quebec) Lionel Carmant warns against “not in my backyard” in the face of the outcry caused by the opening of a supervised drug consumption site near an elementary school. The minister recalled with emotion that these installations contribute “to getting off the streets”.
“I would like to say to all Quebecers [de] pay attention to the “not in my yard”. We have to be very, very careful when we talk about these things, okay? There are people who have needs. We are here to help these people, not make them disappear,” lamented the Minister responsible for Social Services on Tuesday at the Salon Bleu. The latter seemed shaken by the liberals’ questions.
MPs Marwah Rizqy and Élisabeth Prass were hot on the heels of the minister on the upcoming opening of a supervised drug consumption site, near the Victor-Rousselot school, in the southwest of Montreal. The case is controversial in the sector. The Press reported Monday that parents of children attending the establishment are calling on Quebec to try to cancel the opening of the center.
“The parents are worried, but also the governing board, very worried because they do not understand the following thing: how is it that in Quebec, we cannot sell pot 250 meters from a school, but we can inject ourselves on the other side of the sidewalk of a primary school,” said Mme Rizqy.
The Liberals are asking the Legault government to “prohibit the establishment of any inhalation or supervised injection site within 250 m of a school or educational childcare center.” »
“We must be responsible, we must legislate, as you did for cannabis, for these injection sites, to protect our young people as well,” added Mr.me Prass.
This stung Minister Carmant. “I’m not sure I fully understand the link with the SQDC. For example, if we’re talking about a substance sales outlet, we’re talking about places where we’ll help people get off the street. To get off the street. Seriously, I can’t believe it,” repeated the minister, emotionally.
Listen, let’s be calm, let’s move forward. We have to help these people.
Lionel Carmant, Minister responsible for Social Services
Anglade in favor, recalls Carmant
The supervised drug consumption site is scheduled to open in three weeks and is located in the riding of Saint-Henri–Sainte-Anne, which belonged to former Liberal leader Dominique Anglade.
“The project has been approved [avant] it was the member for Saint-Henri–Sainte-Anne, Mme Anglade who was there at the time. I don’t understand the Liberal Party’s question. […] What I want is to ensure that this consumption is done in the most supervised way possible and not in the street,” replied Mr. Carmant at the end of the question period.
He recalled that the government was “working” with Public Health and the organization, Maison Benoît Labre, to “ensure that things are done correctly”.
with Tommy Chouinard, The Press