Insite Ruling May Transform Health Care

[CHIMO]

After hearing arguments from a number of parties at the case's hearing on May 12, the top court must respond to two lines of argument: whether authority over Insite belongs to the provincial or federal government, and whether shutting it down would amount to a violation of the rights of drug users.

It's likely to be some time until a final decision on Insite is reached, and for good reason.

While the stakes are high for intravenous drug users, the court's reasoning will also have a major impact on health care and health rights in Canada.

For one, the ruling will come just as the federal and provincial governments begin renegotiating their health care funding agreement. And, the decision is likely to become the key precedent for future Charter health rights cases -- including an upcoming, high profile case in B.C.

http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2011/05/27/InsiteRuling/