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hivlegalnetwork.bsky.social
This will be today’s thread for live-updates from the courthouse in the Charter Challenge to the Ontario law that will force many safe consumption sites in the province to close by the end of this month.

#SaveOurSites #CTSontario #CTSsavesLives #CTScourtchallenge #SaveCTS #Ontario #ONpoli
March 25, 2025 at 11:54 AM
hivlegalnetwork.bsky.social
Counsel for Toronto Public Health continues: safe consumption sites are a necessary response to the current health crisis being caused by toxic drugs in Canada.

#SaveOurSites #CTSontario #CTSsavesLives #CTScourtchallenge #SaveCTS #Ontario #ONpoli #SayYesToHealth
March 25, 2025 at 2:21 PM
hivlegalnetwork.bsky.social
In contrast, Ontario did not call one expert regarding the efficacy of SCS in Ontario.

#SaveOurSites #CTSontario #CTSsavesLives #CTScourtchallenge #SaveCTS #Ontario #ONpoli #SayYesToHealth
March 24, 2025 at 2:53 PM
hivlegalnetwork.bsky.social
The courtroom and overflow room are already filled and there aren't enough chairs to accommodate everyone in the overflow room.

#SaveOurSites #CTSontario #CTSsavesLives #CTScourtchallenge #SaveCTS #Ontario #ONpoli #SayYesToHealth
March 24, 2025 at 1:41 PM
hivlegalnetwork.bsky.social
AC is now reading past statements made by #Ontario government officials about their desire to eliminate harm reduction and safe consumption services.

#SaveOurSites #CTSontario #CTSsavesLives #CTScourtchallenge #SaveCTS #ONpoli #SayYesToHealth
March 24, 2025 at 8:08 PM
hivlegalnetwork.bsky.social
Applicants lawyer says that the correct question is whether Ontario’s law exacerbates risk to people who use drugs. The answer is yes, "unequivocally.”

#SaveOurSites #CTSontario #CTSsavesLives #CTScourtchallenge #SaveCTS #Ontario #ONpoli #SayYesToHealth
March 24, 2025 at 3:13 PM
hivlegalnetwork.bsky.social
Another overflow room is opening.

#SaveOurSites #CTSontario #CTSsavesLives #CTScourtchallenge #SaveCTS #Ontario #ONpoli #SayYesToHealth
March 24, 2025 at 1:50 PM
hivlegalnetwork.bsky.social
Just received this photo of HIV Legal Network Co-Executive Director Janet Butler McPhee at today's rally! Thank you @tngcommunityto.bsky.social !

#SaveOurSites #CTSontario #CTSsavesLives #CTScourtchallenge #SaveCTS #Ontario #ONpoli #SayYesToHealth
March 24, 2025 at 6:56 PM
hivlegalnetwork.bsky.social
Posting this again:

Street Health in Toronto is hiring grief counselors in anticipation of the impact of Ontario's Community Care and Recovery Act taking effect.

#SaveOurSites #CTSontario #CTSsavesLives #CTScourtchallenge #SaveCTS #Ontario #ONpoli #SayYesToHealth
March 25, 2025 at 2:07 PM
hivlegalnetwork.bsky.social
AC: It is crystal clear that this law is meant to frustrate the federal law.

#SaveOurSites #CTSontario #CTSsavesLives #CTScourtchallenge #SaveCTS #Ontario #ONpoli #SayYesToHealth
March 24, 2025 at 7:17 PM
hivlegalnetwork.bsky.social
Applicant's Counsel: if you close alternatives to public consumption, you push consumption back into the public domain.

#SaveOurSites #CTSontario #CTSsavesLives #CTScourtchallenge #SaveCTS #Ontario #ONpoli #SayYesToHealth
March 24, 2025 at 3:55 PM
hivlegalnetwork.bsky.social
Packing up and moving is not reasonable. The Neighbourhood Group and KMOPS provide a range of other services beyond CTS - including showers and meals - that can't be moved with the CTS.

#SaveOurSites #CTSontario #CTSsavesLives #CTScourtchallenge #SaveCTS #Ontario #ONpoli #SayYesToHealth
March 24, 2025 at 2:36 PM
hivlegalnetwork.bsky.social
Court is back in session with the lawyers for @tngcommunityto.bsky.social and the two individual applicants presenting further arguments.

#SaveOurSites #CTSontario #CTSsavesLives #CTScourtchallenge #SaveCTS #Ontario #ONpoli #SayYesToHealth
March 24, 2025 at 6:10 PM
hivlegalnetwork.bsky.social
Toronto Public Health Counsel: since 2015, the death toll in Toronto due to toxic drug crisis is the equivalent of six Dash 8 airplanes crashing at Billy Bishop airport every two months.

#SaveOurSites #CTSontario #CTSsavesLives #CTScourtchallenge #SaveCTS #Ontario #ONpoli #SayYesToHealth
March 25, 2025 at 2:24 PM
hivlegalnetwork.bsky.social
Applicants lawyers now focusing on the major harm to service users that would be caused by relocation. Even if possible, moving could make sites inaccessible to clients. 90% of clients are experiencing homelessness and can't just jump in a car to get to another CTS.

#SaveOurSites #CTSontario
March 24, 2025 at 2:40 PM
hivlegalnetwork.bsky.social
There seem to be technical difficulties in the overflow room which are preventing us from informing you about what is happening. Please stay tuned.

#SaveOurSites #CTSontario #CTSsavesLives #CTScourtchallenge #SaveCTS #Ontario #ONpoli #SayYesToHealth
March 24, 2025 at 2:13 PM
hivlegalnetwork.bsky.social
AC: Section 15 is about substantive equality and protects people who - due to certain disadvantages - experience laws that appear to be "neutral" much differently.

#SaveOurSites #CTSontario #CTSsavesLives #CTScourtchallenge #SaveCTS #Ontario #ONpoli #SayYesToHealth
March 24, 2025 at 4:27 PM
hivlegalnetwork.bsky.social
A relocated CTS could also be forced to close again if a new school were to open within 200 metres, creating a huge level of uncertainty and lack of control.

#SaveOurSites #CTSontario #CTSsavesLives #CTScourtchallenge #SaveCTS #Ontario #ONpoli #SayYesToHealth
March 24, 2025 at 2:38 PM
hivlegalnetwork.bsky.social
We have prepared a backgrounder on this Charter Challenge, including a Glossary of Terms. Find it here:

www.hivlegalnetwork.ca/site/backgro...

#SaveOurSites #CTSontario #CTSsavesLives #CTScourtchallenge #SaveCTS #Ontario #ONpoli #SayYesToHealth
Backgrounder – Charter challenge to the Community Care and Recovery Act, 2024 – HIV Legal Network
www.hivlegalnetwork.ca
March 24, 2025 at 2:48 PM
hivlegalnetwork.bsky.social
Government of Ontario counsel is arguing that a health service is not immune from closure just because it has benefits.

#SaveOurSites #CTSontario #CTSsavesLives #CTScourtchallenge #SaveCTS #Ontario #ONpoli #SayYesToHealth
March 25, 2025 at 4:12 PM
hivlegalnetwork.bsky.social
Counsel for former Toronto mayors Barbara Hall and John Sewell - who have both been very supportive of this Charter Challenge - is now up to intervene.

#SaveOurSites #CTSontario #CTSsavesLives #CTScourtchallenge #SaveCTS #Ontario #ONpoli #SayYesToHealth
March 25, 2025 at 1:50 PM