The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce is all in for backing the position of the Downtown Kelowna Association to oppose the proposed safe injection site on Leon Avenue.
"We have heard loud and clear from our members located downtown that the number of individuals congregating, damaging property and driving off customers is already intolerable," said Tom Dyas, president of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce.
"We do not believe that the addition of the safe consumption site will improve public safety or promote a healthy business environment on Leon Avenue."
The Kelowna Chamber represents almost 1,400 members throughout the greater Kelowna area.
Dyas said it has been the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and DKA's priority for years to make the Leon area safer for our members and the public, and to revitalize that area for development.
The DKA has publicly registered its concerns that a supervised consumption site at that location will undermine public safety in the Leon area and will present a roadblock to revitalization.
"We think that they are right," said Dyas.
Interior Health hasn't yet made a final decision as to whether they intend to submit an application to the provincial government for a safe consumption site.
Before IH will make that decision, it has committed to conducting further consultation with various stakeholder groups, to seek feedback on potential locations and service models.
One of IH's avenues to receive feedback is a survey. They are asking property or business owner to fill out their survey on the Interior Health website by Dec.15, 2016, found here:
https://www.interiorhealth.ca/AboutUs/Leadership/MHO/Pages/SCSfeedback.aspx