Pause Approval of Safe-Supply Sites Requested by Ontario Premier Doug Ford from Ottawa
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has requested Ottawa to halt the approval of safe-supply programs in the province.
Mr. Ford conveyed his sentiments in a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on May 17.
“I’m now asking that you also extend the requirement for provincial support to ‘safe supply’ sites, which are approved solely and unilaterally by Health Canada,” the premier wrote.
“Due to Health Canada’s siloed approval process, the province is completely in the dark about where these federally approved sites are operating and the quantity of controlled and illegal substances they dispense. This is frankly unacceptable.”
The premier’s letter coincided with Health Canada rejecting a request by the City of Toronto to decriminalize possession of controlled illegal drugs for personal use.
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“Decriminalization of the simple possession of all drugs—along with the scale-up of prevention, harm reduction, and treatment services—is an effective way to address the public health and public safety harms associated with substance use,” the request stated.
“That’s why we’re focused on working with people on the front lines, whether it’s the provincial health systems or at the cities to keep people safe,” he said in response to a reporter’s question about the letter. “So we will continue to work in a science-grounded way of dealing with this horrific tragedy that has hit so many people.”
‘Failed’ Decriminalization Plan
Minister Saks’s decision was announced shortly after Ontario’s Health Minister Sylvia Jones voiced the province’s disapproval of Toronto’s application for decriminalization.
“Instead, we are focused on investing in key services and building safer communities for everyone. We urge Toronto to rescind their misguided application.”
Ms. Jones, along with Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, outlined in the post a joint letter addressed to the medical officer of health for the City of Toronto, Eileen de Villa, stating the province’s full opposition to the decriminalization proposal.
“Decriminalization of simple possession of unregulated substances for personal use reduces or eliminates the risk that people will be arrested simply because they use drugs,” Dr. Kieran Moore highlighted.
“Decriminalization of simple possession also allows the justice and enforcement systems to focus their resources on stopping the organizations and individuals profiting from unregulated drug sales rather than on people who use substances whose needs would be better met in the health system.”
Premier Ford highlighted this in his letter.
“An earlier review conducted by their provincial health officer also indicated that the diversion of controlled substances obtained at these facilities was a common occurrence, including to trade for more lethal and harmful drugs like fentanyl,” Mr. Ford pointed out.
In the joint letter, Ms. Jones and Mr. Kerzner mentioned that the province intends to implement changes to oversee the current 16 safe-supply sites in Ontario, particularly concentrated in the southern region of the province.
“We will also begin enacting enhanced accountability measures for existing consumption and treatment services sites to ensure that the safety and wellbeing of the public is protected,” Minister Jones and Mr. Kerzner declared.
The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
