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More than half a dozen upset community leaders spoke to the crowd, including Michael Lee of the Chinese Benevolent Association, who said the issue “goes deeper than the injection sites.”

“It goes to the right people have, to have a say on things that affect their lives,” he said, noting the “so-called public consultation” process was “really dubious.”

Organizers with Access to Medically Supervised Injection Services Edmonton held small-group information sessions and an online survey, said protester Wendy Aasen.

“There was no general consultation,” said Aasen, a 25-year-resident of McCauley.

Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia

‘Insulted’

She says she is “insulted” by a consultation process that was not “meaningful.” Her concern is that her neighbourhood will “tip over the edge” and turn into a ghetto.

“I want them to rethink the model,” said Aasen.

Warren Champion, who lives in Central McDougall, said there are many flaws in the proposed plan. He told the crowd it would make more sense to put two small, safe injection sites around Whyte Avenue and in the west end, where opioid use is also a big problem, rather than three in east downtown.

“We know from published results that a large majority of fentanyl deaths occurred outside the urban core. Yet, 100 per cent of injection sites are going to be concentrated there,” said Champion, who said another larger community protest is planned, plus a letter-writing campaign.

In a phone interview, Ward 6 Councillor Scott McKeen said “it’s possible” the federal government could change its mind about the location of the injection sites.

“We know sites are needed in other parts of the city, the west end and south of the river. That would have helped this community say, OK, (it’s) not just us.”

Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia

lfaulder@postmedia.com