Judge rules not all community groups have right to be consulted about consumption sites

A federal judge has ruled that not all community groups have a right to be consulted about supervised drug consumption sites.

Edmonton’s Chinatown and Area Business Association had argued it was not properly consulted before three of the sites opened in their area.

The association applied for a judicial review.

Judge Richard Mosley says the primary focus of the sites is public health — consideration of negative impacts on the local community is secondary.