New finding: (February 15, 2024)

Given the new information from the Global News article, which outlines Councillor Kash Heed’s lobbying efforts for a safe consumption site during the summer 2023,  juxtaposed with his statement that his employment with Lucy Scientific Discovery Inc. was terminated in November 2023, it suggests a potential overlap between his advocacy work and his tenure with the company. This timeline discrepancy raises further questions about the nature of his advocacy and its alignment with his professional interests at the time.

Link of the news article:
https://globalnews.ca/news/10297694/richmond-safe-consumption-site-politics/

We, the undersigned residents of Richmond, BC, are writing to express our concern and to demand immediate public clarification regarding the employment status of Councillor Kash Heed with Lucy Scientific Discovery Inc., a company specializing in harm reduction and psychedelics manufacturing, as well as his advocacy for establishing a safe drug consumption site in our community.

During a recent city hall council meeting, a speaker alleged that Councillor Kash Heed is employed by Lucy Scientific Discovery Inc., a claim that Councillor Heed immediately denied, even threatening legal action against the speaker. However, information publicly available and confirmed by credible sources indicates that Kash Heed has indeed been appointed as a Special Advisor to Lucy Scientific Discovery Inc. since March 2023.

Furthermore, Councillor Heed has been a vocal advocate for the establishment of a safe drug consumption site within our community, a position that, while potentially beneficial, raises questions about the intersection of his public duties and private employment. The potential for conflicts of interest, given his role with a pharmaceutical company specializing in harm reduction, underscores the need for transparency in his advocacy.

Given these concerns, we demand the following:

 1. Immediate Public Clarification: Councillor Kash Heed and the city council must provide a clear, public statement addressing both his employment with Lucy Scientific Discovery Inc. and his advocacy for a safe drug consumption site, clarifying any potential conflicts of interest.
 2. Transparency and Accountability: Detailed explanation of how Councillor Heed’s roles are managed to prevent conflicts of interest, ensuring his advocacy and decisions as a councillor are made in the public interest, free from undue influence of his private employment.
 3. Review of Disclosure Policies: A comprehensive review of current policies and procedures for declaring and managing potential conflicts of interest, ensuring they are sufficient to maintain public trust in the integrity of local governance.
 4. Public Engagement on Safe Drug Consumption Site: A transparent and inclusive process for discussing and deciding on the proposed safe drug consumption site, ensuring community input is thoroughly considered and reflected in any decisions made.

Transparency, accountability, and public trust are paramount for effective governance. The issues raised in this petition are of great concern to our community, necessitating clear responses and actions from our elected officials to maintain confidence in our local government.

We respectfully request a prompt and comprehensive response to this petition, addressing the concerns raised and detailing the measures to be taken to ensure transparency and accountability in these matters.