Insite stays open... for now
I was thrilled to read Sarah's post about the news that Insite will stay open for the next 18 months. Compared to the prospects that it might be closed altogether, that's progress.
But the decision smacks of politics. That 18-month window coincides a little too neatly with the likely window for the next election, and it's not too hard to conclude the Conservatives just wanted to push the issue aside until the vote is safely out of the way. This is, after all, the government that refused to make any announcements during the International Conference on AIDS, saying the environment was "too politicized"... which is another way of saying too many people were paying attention.
Maybe I'm being too cynical. Maybe Tony Clement really does need more evidence that it's safer for heroin addicts to be shooting up in a controlled enviroment than in the back alleys of the Downtown East Side. But from a party that so often uses the need for "research" as a stalling tactic (as they have with climate change), it's mighty unconvincing.
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Well Canadians are known for
Well Canadians are known for complaining about the Government full time. It's our favourite thing to do.
What would you like to see changed on the east side? And as Ghandi said, how can you be the change you desire to see? In other words he might ask "What am I doing to impact the heroin addicts on east hastings tonight? What if everyone did as much as me, would it rememdy the situation? Am I expecting others to do more than I am willing to do? If so why?"
I guess by asking these questions we would be cured of our cynicism.
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The idea that receiving
The idea that receiving government funding should act as a muzzle seems profoundly wrong to me -- especially if part of the purpose of that funding is to promote honest discussion. The AIDS crisis is too urgent for governments and their political supporters to get snippy when criticized for policies that either contribute to the crisis or fail to confront it.
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Well the federal govt
Well the federal govt contributed $4.5 million dollars to the AIDS conference so that it could be held here in Canada, then sent three ministers, including the health minister, also the Gov General, who played a visible role, but what they got back was criticism... (even from Canadian envoy to the UN Stephen Lewis who is paid by the gov't) so apparently somebody has not learned not to bite the hand that feeds them...