Kelowna mayor urges Ottawa to close downtown consumption site after 3,400 police calls

Kelowna, B.C., Mayor Tom Dyas and city council have formally asked the federal government to shut down a supervised consumption site downtown, citing over 3,400 police calls and ongoing public safety risks as unsustainable. The request, sent to Health Minister Marjorie Michel, seeks to deny renewal of the site's authorization on Pandosy Street next year. The letter highlights 370 medical incidents, 24 outdoor fires, and concerns including gang activity, assaults, and drug trafficking near the facility. Interior Health reports the site handled over 37,000 visits and 75 overdoses without a fatality in 2025. B.C. Health Minister Ravi Khalon said the province will respond soon, while Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim has similarly opposed a new overdose prevention site.