In this episode of Windsor Speakeasy, host T.J. Bondy is joined by local artists and activists Bilal Nasser and Kam Cusumano to discuss the latest updates on Windsor's Safe Consumption and Services Site, SafePoint.

Despite the clear need for a Safe Consumption and Services Site in Windsor, Mayor Drew Dilken and Councillor JoAnne Gignac have been stalling the implementation process with fear-mongering tactics and bureaucratic delays. Bondy, Cusumano, and Nasser discuss the harmful effects of these delays and the importance of providing support and resources to those struggling with addiction in our community. They also discuss the specific challenges that Windsor faces in implementing SafePoint and the ways in which residents can get involved to support this important initiative.

Join us as we dive deep into this important issue and explore how we can work together to make our community a safer and more supportive place for all.

Guest :Erica Bassakos, Registered Social Worker employed at Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare

Erica speaks from her experience as a social worker and is not speaking on behalf of her employer, Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare. We had the privilege to chat with Her about harm reduction, and how a safe consumption and treatment site in our city integrates and relieves stress on other parts of our healthcare system. Consider this a bonus episode to supplement the voices heard in our most recent episode;”Downtown Councillor motions to delay life-saving healthcare”.

Guests: Renaldo Agostino, Brandon Bailey, Rino Bortolin, Brian Yeomans

We talk about Ward 3 Councillor, Renaldo Agostino and other stakeholders about his notice of motion to rescind the approval of a Consumption treatment and services site (CTS) delaying the project that was set to be serving the community in March. We brought up some archival speakeasy tape of outgoing Ward 3 Councillor Rino Bortolin talking about how his work over his term to gain public buy-in from all sides. We Talk with Brandon Bailey about his advocacy in the past for a safe injection site (SIS) in the city and what these sites mean to people who use drugs. We also talk to outgoing DWBIA chair Brian Yeomans about the consultation process during his term on the BIA.

Rino Bortolin: 7:21
Brandon Bailey: 13:49
Brian Yeomans: 27:45
Councillor Renaldo Agostino: 41:21

Resources:

Recording of this week's town hall presentation:

https://youtu.be/Nni_O7kYfxo

Website with other reports and resources:

https://wecoss.ca/

Link to the notice of motion:

https://www.citywindsor.ca/cityhall/city-council-meetings/pages/notice-of-motions.aspx

Pozitive Pathways Petition:

https://chng.it/CGcS7mZTRc