Minister says ‘listening and consulting' on supervised drug site continues
'This is something that's still top of mind and something we're forging ahead on,' Housing, Addictions and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith said Monday.
The NDP campaigned on a promise to establish a supervised consumption site in the 2023 election because the Tory government at the time refused to consider it.
'This is very personal for me,' the minister said in an interview. 'I've met with far too many loved ones who've lost someone to an overdose and this is about getting it right.'
The province hasn't yet 'landed' on a proposed site but is 'moving toward' on having a site up and running by year's end, Smith said.
On July 12, 2024, the Manitoba government announced $727,000 to support the development of an Indigenous-led supervised consumption site in partnership with the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre of Winnipeg. The Indigenous organization applied in November to Health Canada for a licence to operate the harm-reduction service in Point Douglas; its staff would be trained to respond to accidental overdoses and other emergencies, and help patients access health and social services.
In April, community members at a public consultation meeting raised concerns about a proposed site at 200 Disraeli Fwy., and how it could affect the safety of their neighbourhood.
'We're listening to everyone that's coming to the table with ideas, whether that's for or against. We want to listen to both and we've certainly heard from both.'– Housing, Addictions and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith
'We're still listening and consulting with folks,' Smith said. 'We're listening to everyone that's coming to the table with ideas, whether that's for or against. We want to listen to both and we've certainly heard from both.'
The NDP government's spring budget includes $1.3 million for Shared Health to contract with the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre to operate the site. It would be the first Indigenous-led facility of its kind in Canada, the province says.
Each proposed supervised consumption site requires an exemption under section 56.1 of the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Health Canada says.
A completed application must include key information related to policies and procedures, personnel, local conditions, community consultations and finances. Health Canada lists the Winnipeg application as being in the 'review' stage and 'awaiting key information before decision can be taken.'
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'We're not rushing this by any means,' Smith said.
'We've listened to experts, we've listened to community members, we've listened to folks on the front lines, those who are in their addictions and we're going to continue to do that work,' Smith said.
'We've also gone and looked at other jurisdictions. We want to make sure that we're creating a made in Manitoba model (where) safety and security is No. 1' with treatment and recovery supports in place.
carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
Carol SandersLegislature reporter
Carol Sanders is a reporter at the Free Press legislature bureau. The former general assignment reporter and copy editor joined the paper in 1997. Read more about Carol.
Every piece of reporting Carol produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
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