On May 5, 2026, Vancouver Coastal Health and RainCity Housing announced the Thomus Donaghy Overdose Prevention Site at 900 Helmcken Street — with no prior notice to neighbouring businesses or residents. The lease begins June 1, 2026.

The site sits directly adjacent to a block of local businesses, customer-facing small businesses, and across the street from residential homes. Despite VCH citing "years of consultation with various community partners, including the City," the people who live and work immediately next to this site were never contacted.

We are calling for:

1. An immediate halt to the opening of this site until proper community consultation has been completed with the businesses and residents directly neighbouring 900 Helmcken Street
2. A full review of this location and a formal assessment of whether an alternate site exists that does not place undue burden on an active residential and business corridor
3. A transparent explanation of why our community was excluded from years of reported consultation — and who was consulted in our place
4. No operations to commence on June 1, 2026 until the City of Vancouver, Vancouver Coastal Health, and the surrounding community have met, been heard, and reached an agreed-upon plan

We are not opposed to harm reduction services. We are asking to be treated as stakeholders in decisions that directly affect our safety, livelihoods, and community.