BC’s Minister of Municipal Affairs is suggesting local leaders in BC do have the right to set their own rules when it comes to issues such as illicit drug use in public spaces.

“Local governments are elected by their constituents and their community. They know what is best for their communities,” Municipal Affairs Minister Anne Kang told RadioNL on Friday ahead of her speech to the Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) annual meeting in Vernon.  “I look forward to further conversations on how we can better support them, and work with them to get their goals.”

Kang also suggests local governments have a level of autonomy connected to their own needs.

“People want to feel safe in their communities. They want to know that they are supported. Local governments do have a range of tools that can address issues related to substance abuse and public disorder,” said Kang.  “My ministry, and other ministries, will continue to work with local governments to address concerns about public substance use in their communities.”

Kang’s suggestion would seem to contradict recent guidance issued by Interior Health.

The authority has asked local governments to install a 6-month moratorium on any bylaws which may impact issues around decriminalization.

That moratorium would date back to the implementation of decriminalization, which took effect at the end of January.

This follows a proposed bylaw amendment in Kamloops which would outlaw the use of illicit drugs in parks and other public spaces.

Any bylaws which may impact decriminalization — which the BC government considers a health care issue — would ultimately have to be given approvals by the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions and the Health Ministry.