The Ontario NDP is firing back after the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario moved to drastically scale back supervised consumption sites in the province.
In a media release issued by the NDP northern caucus, MPPs condemned the province’s move, which included denying a funding application for The Spot — Sudbury’s supervised consumption site, which closed earlier this year due to a lack of provincial funding.
"My Sudbury community stepped up and funded our local CTS 'The Spot' when the government wouldn't," Sudbury MPP Jamie West said in the media release.
"Health care is a provincial responsibility, and the premier refused to fund it. Now, Ford is removing a vital tool during an overdose epidemic — one we know saves lives. Ford had plenty of time to find a solution, but instead of addressing the real issue, he gave up on Ontarians — on our most vulnerable people — and the friends and family that love them. The blame will lie with the government.”
During this week’s Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference in Ottawa, Premier Doug Ford announced that 10 consumption and treatment services sites would close, new ones would be banned and remaining sites would face new restrictions.
There are no supervised consumption sites left in Northern Ontario.
In response to the announcement, Mayor Paul Lefebvre told Sudbury.com that he’s disappointed to learn that The Spot will remain closed, and that he agrees with advocates’ assessment that such facilities save lives.
Alongside the supervised consumption sites announcement, the province also announced $378 million toward 19 addiction treatment hubs which might help fund the city’s 40-unit transitional housing complex on Lorraine Street.
Rather than one type of service versus the other, NDP MPPs are arguing against cuts to supervised consumption sites.
"Not a single community in our province is asking the government to take away existing resources and programs,” Gélinas said in the media release.
“This government is cynically attacking health infrastructure, putting ideology over evidence. It's time to fund the treatments and support programs we need so we can stop the loss of life."
Thunder Bay–Superior North MPP Lise Vaugeois said that the closure of the NorWest Community Health Centre in Thunder Bay will harm her community.
“This site offers wrap-around services and has saved countless lives,” she said. “I’m shocked that the Ford government is shutting down an essential service that is working so well. The Minister of Health is taking away a key tool in our fight to save lives and putting stigma ahead of support."
