With word coming down the line that Victoria is looking to create its own legislation this fall connected to open drug use, the proponent behind possible bylaw changes in Kamloops is hoping to get ahead of the province.

Notifications have started to go out to local politicians across the province through the Union of BC Municipalities — at the request of the Solicitor General’s office — asking for their input on local drug use restrictions for possible changes in the fall legislative session.

Kamloops councillor Katie Neustaeter says she hopes the Kamloops bylaw changes will be passed in August before the province can bring down its plans, saying she worried Victoria’s open-use drug policies will be a watered-down version of what Kamloops wants.

“To be really frank, my concern is that it’s going to be narrowed so much that the policy that passes at a provincial level might just be parks, for instance.”

The Kamloops bylaw changes would ban open drug use within 100-meters of parks and playgrounds, and would treat drug use on sidewalks the same way smoking and alcohol are regulated.

The notification through the UBCM, dated June 28th, is asking local politicians to offer their opinion on the issue of public drug use to take part in one of two virtual sessions being offered in July, or have written submissions submitted by the end of July.

“The BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General is undertaking policy work to support possible Fall 2023 legislation to regulate the use of drugs in certain public spaces,” states the invitation through the UBCM.  ” Local government elected officials and senior leadership staff are invited to participate in one of two virtual engagement sessions on July 13 and 19, or to submit written comments.”

The invitation goes on to outline the current scenario facing a number of BC communities, including Kamloops.

“The Province currently regulates where people can smoke tobacco, drink alcohol, and use cannabis, but does not yet have rules about public use of other controlled substances,” the notification states.  “Some local governments, police departments, and members of the public have expressed concerns about public drug use, particularly in child-focused spaces like playgrounds. In the context of decriminalization, the Province notes that there may be a need for reasonable limits on drug use in certain public spaces.”

The call for expedited local government input would suggest the NDP government is likely going to make this issue one of its first legislative efforts when the next sitting of the legislature begins on October 3rd.

Radio NL has reached out the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General for comment.