Harm reduction advocates and concerned community members from across the Lower Mainland gathered at Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre to speak out against the PROSPER Conference, an event organized by the US-based Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions. The Foundation changed the event’s venue to Richmond’s Westin Wall Centre at the last minute.

On December 13, 2023, Vancouver City Council passed a motion seeking provincial endorsement for the elimination of the Park Board. The ruling ABC majority has given strong indications that they are seeking the privatization of parks assets and operations as a short-term attempt to balance the municipal budget, embedded within a wider project of neoliberal restructuring.

We are writing to request an immediate investigation into the transfer of millions of public dollars from the provincial government to private recovery programs with little or no government oversight. On behalf of all concerned BC residents, we demand a forensic audit into these abusive treatment programs and recovery houses which continue to be allowed to operate using public funds. Enough is enough.