Health Contact Centre (overdose prevention site)
In July 2020, City Council directed City staff to work with Fraser Health to explore an Overdose Prevention Site in New Westminster. An application has now been received for a Health Contact Centre, including overdose prevention services, in downtown New Westminster. A Temporary Use Permit is required to establish the Centre.
What's being proposed?
The Lower Mainland Purpose Society has applied to become the operator for the New Westminster Health Contact Centre that will include overdose prevention services at their existing location on Begbie Street. The Health Contact Centre will provide a number of wrap-around services, such as witnessed consumption, drug checking, harm reduction supplies, peer employment opportunities, education on safer drug use, and will include regular needle sweeps of the surrounding area. These services will work in tandem with the existing services already offered by Purpose Society. This project is a partnership with Fraser Health, which initiated the creation of the Centre and will be providing the funding.
As a Health Contact Centre is not permitted use in the current zoning, a Temporary Use Permit is required. The Permit will allow the Centre to operate for three years and, after that time, may be extended. New Westminster City Council may attach conditions to the issuance of the permit to ensure that the impacts of the temporary use on existing businesses and properties are mitigated.
Where can I find more information?
Scroll down (under "More Information") for additional information about the services planned for the centre, hours of operation, staffing levels, etc. Also check out the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section on the right-hand menu of this page (or scroll down if on mobile). You can also access reports to Council under the Documents section in the right-hand menu.
How can I engage?
Request for Public Comment
This Temporary Use Permit application will be considered by Council for issuance on March 29, 2021. Any person who thinks their interests may be affected by the application has the opportunity to express their opinion to Council in writing. Send your comments by email or mail by March 29, 2021 to:
Email: clerks@newwestcity.ca
Mail: Legislative Services Department, 511 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, BC V3L 1H9
Written comments received by 5pm, three business days before the meeting will be included in the agenda package. Later comments received until the close of the hearing will be distributed on table at the meeting. All comments are published.
From March 12 to March 29, you can read the related material at Legislative Services, City Hall and online at: www.newwestcity.ca/publicnotices
Questions? Please call Legislative Services at 604-527-4523.
Please Note: The meeting on March 29 will be held electronically under Ministerial Order No. M192/2020 and Order of the Provincial Health Officer Gatherings and Events – February 5, 2021. On May 11, 2020, Council approved a resolution requiring written feedback only on Temporary Use Permit applications during the period of the COVID-19 State of Emergency.
Joint Applicant and City-led Virtual Consultation
The feedback period has now closed (as of Feb. 24, 2021). Thank you to all who attended the virtual information session and/or provided written feedback.
All information received was presented to Council for their use in consideration of the application in a report on March 1, 2021.
Information Session (Virtual)
The Purpose Society, Fraser Health and the City held an information session in a virtual format on February 17, 2021. At the session, project representatives presented the proposal and respond to questions. Thank you to all those who attended the session. Skip to 9:25 in the session recording video above to listen to the presentations from Fraser Health and Purpose Society. Please click here to access the presentation slides, or you can access them in the Documents menu on the right-hand side (or below on mobile).