Vancouver approves property tax increase for opioid crisis response:
Months after a public health emergency was declared in BC and amid growing numbers of deadly drug overdoses, the City of Vancouver has made a controversial move.
This afternoon, city council voted to approve the 2017 budget which will include an additional 0.5 property tax increase to help pay for the response to the ongoing opioid crisis. Overall, property taxes in Vancouver will go up 3.9 per cent.
“The City of Vancouver plays a strong role in supporting our city’s economic leadership and enhancing the livability and quality of life for our residents,” says Mayor Gregor Robertson. “Our economy is thriving and we are responding to a diverse set of needs as our city struggles with the fentanyl crisis and a huge demand for affordable housing.”
The budget will also focus on addressing the overheated real estate market.
The city says in November alone, the Vancouver Fire Department responded to 735 overdoses and were required to use the fentanyl antidote naloxone 35 times — both statistics are said to be the highest monthly totals in 2016.
Vancouver’s fire chief has asked for more resources at the department’s Downtown Eastside fire hall which has seen overdose calls increase 111 per cent when compared to last year.
The BC Coroners Service says between January and the end of October, 622 people died of an overdose, compared to 397 for the same period of 2015. October had 63 deaths, six more than September and just slightly higher than the 61 monthly average.