Breaking down the safe drug supply controversy

Good morning,

The chances of Surrey getting an NHL team are as likely as me waking up tomorrow with a million dollars. But that didn’t stop this Alberta-based publication from sharing a story that was obviously based on fake news. That’s why you always fact check before publishing!

Instead of a new hockey team, what our city really needs is a basketball team. Bring back the Grizzlies!

One bit of housekeeping. With a holiday on Monday, there will be no newsletter. Even newsletter writers need a day off!

Anyways, enough of that. Let’s get to the news. Here’s what’s on deck in today’s newsletter:

• Breaking down a controversial story about safe supply 💉

• The events you need to check out this weekend 🏟

Let’s get to it!

— Geoff Sharpe, Vancity Lookout newsletter writer

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WEATHER

Friday: 24 🌡️ 14 | 🌤

Saturday: 24 🌡️ 13 | 🌤

Sunday: 19 🌡️ 12 | 🌤

Monday: 17 🌡️ 11 | 🌤

VANCOUVER BY THE NUMBERS

💰 $1 billion: The amount of money that FIFA 2026 is expected to bring to Vancouver’s tourism sector. [twitter]

⛽ 189.9 cents: The expected price of gas during the long weekend in Vancouver. [Daily Hive]

☁️ 22: How Vancouver ranked in air quality last night compared to the rest of the world. [Daily Hive]

HEALTH

Breaking down the controversy over safe supply

Canada’s toxic drug crisis shows no signs of decreasing, and critics are breaking down why a prominent story on Canada’s safe drug supply may be problematic.

The numbers: B.C. is facing a real possibility that the deaths from the toxic drug supply will hit a record this year, according to analysis by CBC reporter Justin McElroy. As of April, there were 814 deaths, which would put B.C. on track for 2,442 this year compared to 2,340 last year.

The critics: A wide-ranging story — literally 10,000+ words — by National Post columnist Adam Zizo released last week argues Canada’s safe supply strategy is a failure. He alleges that addicts are selling hydromorphone pills, used for safe supply, to purchase fentanyl off the street, rather than take the drugs themselves. Zivo claims the problem is widespread across Canada.

• The story has been picked up by federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to justify his policy of shutting down safe supply.

Zoom in: In a Twitter thread and podcast, media critic Jesse Brown breaks down what he argues are serious problems with the story. Specifically, he says:

• Zero doctors went on record about these claims;

• The claims are based on “a handful of accounts provided by a handful of doctors who are critical of safe supply” and not public health researchers;

• And no actual data or estimates, or interviews with safer supply clients.

A former Prime Minister’s Office staffer for Stephen Harper also took issue with the story.

What experts say: According to the 2022 coroner's report, “there is no indication that prescribed safe supply is contributing to illicit drug deaths.” B.C. Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside said there is no data indicating increased mortality with the program, according to Global.

• It’s worth remembering safe supply isn’t meant to stop people from using drugs, but to prevent deaths. A study by the Canadian Medical Association Journal showed that providing these types of drugs reduces hospitalizations and emergency room visits.

Yes, but: Putting aside the issue around safe supply, deaths from the toxic drug supply are still rising. A big problem is those seeking treatment may not be able to access it — only 320 new treatment beds have been added to B.C., according to CTV. Drug users face months-long delays when seeking treatment, CTV reported.

• Thought-bubble: The debate around whether safer supply drugs are being diverted onto the streets obscures the real problem, that toxic drugs continue to take lives at an ever-growing rate.

Zoom out: The provincial government has indicated they could enact a province-wide strategy for open drug use, according to Global News. After small amounts of drugs were legalized, municipalities across B.C. have adopted bylaws to limit consumption in areas with families, tourists and businesses. Said Eby:

“We’re happy to work with them on that and we will be doing so. I've asked the minister of public safety and the minister of mental health and addiction to work with their teams, with local governments, to prepare a proposal for us to be able to address this at a provincial level.”

SURVEY RESULTS

On Wednesday we asked readers for their favourite beach. The top choice was Spanish Banks, with 35 percent of readers favouring it. Here’s what one reader had to say:

“Have two small dogs and as a family our best time ever is to go to the off-leash area when the tide is way out, spend hours just playing in the sand, the warm puddles of water and enjoying the great outdoors.”

THE AGENDA

🚓 A suspect has been located who allegedly sexually assaulted victims at a beach on Saturday posing as a massage therapist. [CTV]

💰 Weeks before council retroactively applied a tax decrease on the Empty Homes Tax that returned millions to developers, those same developers contacted council to ask for just that policy. Funny how that works! [Vancouver Sun]

⚽ Bad news for the Whitecaps. The team lost 2-1 against FC Dallas on Wednesday. [ESPN]

🍽 Canada is dealing with a post-pandemic hangover in the restaurant industry. Here in Vancouver, popular lunch spot The Birds & The Beets said their business has declined due to fewer people coming downtown to work. Labour shortages, inflation and COVID loan repayments are other major issues. [CBC]

🏢 Contrary to some beliefs, the 105 Keefer building, part of a nine-story development project, will not overlook Dr. Sun Yat-Sen garden. Activists who posted the image removed it after being threatened by legal action from the non-profit organization that operates the Garden. [Urbanized]

🏒 Rogers Arena was just ranked 25th out of 32 NHL arenas. Clearly the reviewers didn’t know about the proximity of Costco’s $1 hot dogs next door! [The Province]

WEEKEND GUIDE

Music

Kyohei Sorita | Vancouver Playhouse | Sunday, 3 pm | A burgeoning talent identified at the 18th INternational Chopin Competition, he’s a conductor and pianist who’s music is described as “blissful” | Tickets $32 and up

Hot Chip | Vogue Theatre | Saturday 7:00 pm Indie and dance music, were grammy nominated for their song “Ready for the Floor” | Tickets $42

Orchestra Festival | Orpheum Theatre | Sunday 11 am | Copeland, Tchaikovsky and more performed by the pre-junon, junior and intermediate symphonies | Tickets $6.66

Market

The Shipyards Night Market | Friday night | Come by and enjoy music, food trucks and beer garden every Friday night | Free

West End Farmers Market | 1100 Comox Street | Saturday, 9 am-2 pm | Over 30 farm producers, along with food and coffee | Free

Riley Park Farmers Market | 4061 Ontario Street | Saturday 10 am-2 pm | Come by and pick up some fresh produce! | Free

Kitsilano Farmers Market | Kitsilano Community Centre | Sunday 10 am-2 pm | 50+ farms and producers, along with food trucks | Free

Family

Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour | Queen Elizabeth Theatre | Saturday 1 pm | Dance, sing and learn with Blippi, including monster trucks, excavators and garbage trucks, and be ready to get moving at this musical party | Starting at $84

Jurassic World Live | Pacific Coliseum | Now until May 28 | Jurassic World comes to life, as scientist try to save a dinosaur named Jeanie | Tickets $20-$115

2023 Vancouver All British Classic Car Show | VanDusen Botanical Garden | Saturday, 10 am-4:30 pm | Exactly as it sounds, come see classic cars all day | Starting at $20

Movies

Man with a Movie Camera | VIFF | Saturday 11 am | Part of the Pantheon series exploring the world’s greatest cinema | Tickets $18

Top Gun | Rio Theatre | Tonight 11:30 pm | Take the highway straight to the danger zone (The Rio) for this classic summer film | Tickets $11.42

Turning Red | Cinematheque | Sunday 11 am | A tale of adolescence and culture, from Pixar, which should be more popular if it didn’t come out during COVID | Tickets $14

Coming soon

Pacific Rim patio pop-up | Pacific Rim | Starting June 1 | A special six-week pop-up hosting numerous local chefs from the best restaurants in the city | More info

Fish and Sips at the Vancouver Aquarium | Vancouver Aquarium | Every summer Friday starting June 17, 6:30 pm-9:30 pm | For adults only, come enjoy the aquarium while also enjoying some beer, wine and cider | Tickets $55

Albamar x Dachi Winemaker Dinner | May 25, 6 pm-10 pm | Learn about wine from Cambados Spain along with a five-course tasting menu | Tickets $130

Birds & Bubbles | Juke’s Fried Chicken are bringing together champaign, fried chicken and caviar for an exclusive dining event | Tickets $175

HISTORY

In 1975, Vancouver hosted the first World Bellyflop and Cannonball Diving Championships at the Bayshore Inn.

FOOD

Hawaii, rare snacks and the best food

Reviews

Restaurant Hānai on Commercial Drive is inspired by Hawaii and Pacific West Coast influences, including a delightful sharing menu. [Daily Hive]

Chancho moved from Yaletown to Commercial and the food continues to excel. This place serves authentic tacos, and your humble newsletter writer believes they’re the best he’s had in the city. [Vancouver Magazine]

Openings

Congee Noodle House is set to re-open in a few months. [Reddit]

For all you treat fans, you’ll want to visit Smoke 2 Snack (when it opens) at 562 W Broadway, a new shop sourcing hard-to-find treats and international “speciality snacks.” [Daily Hive]

Street Hawker, a new joint from the team at Potluck Hawker Eatery, is opening this weekend. Their Asian-inspired burgers, elevated fries and unique milkshakes will leave you wanting more. [Scout Magazine]

News you can use

In a surprise to no one, Maenam took home the Best Thai Restaurant from Vancouver Magazine, while Korean restaurant Zoomak — a place I absolutely love — took home the top spot for Korean food. [Vancouver Magazine]

Speaking of the awards, AnnaLena won best restaurant of the year, and Water St. Cafe won the best wine list. [Vancouver Magazine]

Four Vancouver chefs shared their favourite recipes with the Vancouver Sun. The ginger milk custard looks like a dessert I could eat every day. [Vancouver Sun]

MEME OF THE DAY

Thoughts?

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Eccentric actor Jeff Goldblum will be playing with his jazz band this August in Vancouver. [Vancouver is Awesome]

• Here’s everything you need to know about the WestJet strike. [Vancouver Sun]

• A kayaker shared some incredible photos of his encounter with an orca. [Vancouver is Awesome]

• Congrats to 352 Afghan refugees who arrived in Vancouver on Wednesday. Welcome to Canada! [Twitter]

• Who’s got the best donuts in Vancouver? Reddit users say Lee’s, Lucky’s, Melo and Duffins. [Reddit]

• Want to feature your announcement in the newsletter? Contact our team!

PHOTO OF THE DAY

What a beautiful shot by a Reddit user thewholelife who captured this photo at Stanley Park.

Have your own photo? Send it to us and we’ll feature it!

GAME TIME

Congrats to Carrie who correctly guessed the VancouverGuesser photo on Wednesday was of Third Beach.

Today’s Vancouver Wordle is based on something in this newsletter. Can you guess it?

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