The Ontario government confirmed Monday that it will stop provincial funding for seven supervised drug consumption sites, just days after harm reduction advocates reported being informed about the decision.
The province mentioned it will start a 90-day phase-out period to allow those using the sites time to shift to the government’s abstinence-based model – homelessness and addiction recovery treatment, or HART, hubs.
This decision impacts two locations in Toronto, two in Ottawa, and one each in Niagara, Peterborough, and London. Health Minister Sylvia Jones stated that the government is “focused on treatment, recovery and safer communities.”
Health-care workers, advocates, and individuals experiencing homelessness have all expressed concerns that closing these sites could lead to more fatalities.
Premier Doug Ford defended the choice on Monday, arguing that unlike HART hubs, consumption sites “encourage” drug use.
“I don’t want to hurt these people. I want to help them. I want them to be productive,” Ford said at an unrelated press conference in Brockville, Ont.
“I don’t believe in sticking these injection sites in the middle of the community, down the street from a school; needles are all over the place. It’s like giving an alcoholic a card for the LCBO and saying, ‘OK go in there and go to town.”‘
WATCH | ‘HART’ hubs are replacing supervised drug consumption sites:
Ontario opens homelessness and addiction hubs, replacing consumption sites
After passing a law that shut down many supervised consumption sites, the province opened nine of its HART hubs on Tuesday. However, critics argue Ontario’s new approach is facing challenges right from the start. Shawn Jeffords explains.
A letter from the Ministry of Health sent to Fred Victor Centre, one of Toronto’s two sites, indicated its provincial funding for consumption and treatment services would cease as of June 13.
The centre expressed feeling “deeply disappointed” by the government’s choice to cut funding for remaining supervised consumption sites; its CEO shared this sentiment on Friday.
Keith Hambly noted in a statement that these services “save lives and connect vulnerable people to essential health and social services.”
In 2024, the government prohibited supervised consumption sites within 200 metres of schools or daycares targeting ten locations across Ontario for closure by March 2025. Most opted to transition into the province’s abstinence-based model before closing.
The government has also barred any new consumption sites from opening entirely as it shifts focus away from harm reduction towards an abstinence-based model. The letter addressed to Fred Victor Centre highlights that nearly $550 million will be invested in establishing HART hubs across Ontario.
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Ontario opens homelessness and addiction hubs, replacing consumption sites
After passing a law that shut down many supervised consumption sites, the province opened nine of its HART hubs on Tuesday. However, critics argue Ontario’s new approach is facing challenges right from the start. Shawn Jeffords explains.
A letter from the Ministry of Health sent to Fred Victor Centre, one of Toronto’s two sites, indicated its provincial funding for consumption and treatment services would cease as of June 13.
The centre expressed feeling “deeply disappointed” by the government’s choice to cut funding for remaining supervised consumption sites; its CEO shared this sentiment on Friday.
Keith Hambly noted in a statement that these services “save lives and connect vulnerable people to essential health and social services.”
In 2024, the government prohibited supervised consumption sites within 200 metres of schools or daycares targeting ten locations across Ontario for closure by March 2025. Most opted to transition into the province’s abstinence-based model before closing.
The government has also barred any new consumption sites from opening entirely as it shifts focus away from harm reduction towards an abstinence-based model. The letter addressed to Fred Victor Centre highlights that nearly $550 million will be invested in establishing HART hubs across Ontario.
Funding cut makes communities less safe: NDP MPP
Robin Lennox, a family doctor and primary care critic with NDP called defunding these consumption sites “deadly and irresponsible,” asserting it will make communities less safe. “These sites provide a safe and monitored space for people using substances. Removing them means we will see more drug use and overdoses occurring in public spaces,” she stated on Monday. “Let me be perfectly clear: this will not make Ontario’s toxic drug crisis disappear; it will only make things worse.” Janet Butler-Mc Phee co-executive director of HIV Legal Network referred to pulling funding as a “cowardly move” that risks lives. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association also criticized this action saying it “strongly condemns” cutting funds for consumption sites calling it “misguided.” Ford mentioned a recent study from Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence which found last year’s closure of Red Deer’s only overdose prevention site did not result in increased overdose deaths or emergency visits among former users from that site. Some have raised questions about both scope & neutrality based on how it was funded. Toronto Public Health warned last year when five city consumptions were closed could result into preventable overdoses increasing both fatal & non-fatal while also adding pressure onto paramedics’ workload.Source link
