Ontario’s government says it has approved applications to transition nine drug injection sites into addiction recovery treatment hubs by spring.
In August 2024 the province announced it will close drug consumption sites that are within 200 metres of a school or child-care centre. At the time, Health Minister Sylvia Jones said the government had heard from parents who were concerned for the safety of their children.
In a news release on Jan. 2, 2025, the Doug Ford government said it had approved applications to close nine drug sites.
The new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs will be located in Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, Kitchener, Guelph, and Thunder Bay, according to the release.
“Our government takes the safety of the people of Ontario extremely seriously,” Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner said. “By transitioning to the HART Hub model, we are taking concrete action to reduce crime in several communities across the province and providing those struggling with addiction with the help they need.”
The government said it is committing $378 million for an eventual 19 HART hubs across the province.
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Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Michael Tibollo said the hubs will help those with addictions find support and services for lasting recovery.
“We are investing more than any government in Ontario’s history to create a nation-leading system of mental health and addictions care,” he said. The hubs will provide a range of services including primary care, mental health supports, addiction care and support, social services, and employment support.
About 375 supportive housing units, as well as recovery and treatment beds, will be added as part of the hubs.
The nine approved sites are expected to be converted by March 31, according to the release.
The government said it is reviewing applications for the other 10 hub locations, which will be announced in a few weeks, and all hubs should be operating by April 1.
Calgary Drug Consumption Site
In Alberta, the provincial government and the City of Calgary are at odds over that city’s downtown drug consumption site.
In October 2024, Alberta Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Dan Williams publicized a letter about the site that he wrote to Calgary’s council.
It asked the mayor and council for their position on closing the downtown Sheldon M. Chumir drug consumption site and transitioning it to addiction recovery care, saying the site has caused public safety concerns.
The minister said he was looking for a solution that keeps communities safe while supporting those struggling with addiction.
Williams wrote that if the city agreed to convert the site, the province would work with municipal partners and relevant stakeholders to develop an addiction recovery plan.
His letter was in response to a post on X that same say where Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek said any decision on drug consumption sites is a provincial responsibility.
She said the city had been waiting for the province to offer solutions since 2022.
