Top headlines from Vancouver and beyond for September 30 2011:

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled unanimously that the federal government’s case for shutting down Vancouver’s controversial InSite was “grossly disproportionate” to the benefits provided by the program for drug users and the community. “During its eight years of operation, Insite has been proven to save lives with no discernible negative impact on the public safety and health objectives of Canada,” the Court said, exempting the clinic and its operators from prosecution.

The Vancouver International Film Festival got underway yesterday, with hundreds of well-to-dos attending the opening gala at the Rocky Mountaineer, while about 30 locked out Rocky Mountaineer employees picketed the entrance. Frustration was high, with little solidarity from the heavily unionized film industry.

Health Minister Mike de Jong has raised the possibility of charging smokers higher MSP premiums. “Some people, in B.C. about 14 per cent of the population, continue to smoke and they’re going to cost more,” de Jong told the Vancouver Sun. “Maybe they should contribute more.”

According to a draft report by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency, the United States is considering fences at specific hotspots along the Canadian border. A U.S. spokesperson was quick to clarify that the government is not actively considering fences at this time, and is looking at increasing manpower and technology along the border first.

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