March 19, 2026

RE: Provincial government to end funding to remaining Safe Consumption Sites in Ontario

We are deeply disappointed by the Government of Ontario’s regrettable decision to end funding for all remaining safe consumption sites (SCS) in the province.

The services delivered at SCS – including community outreach and education and monitoring the toxic drug supply – are a critical part of a compassionate and evidence-based response to the ongoing overdose crisis. They save lives and connect vulnerable people to essential health and social services. Importantly, SCS are often the first touchpoint people have on their pathway to recovery.

Supervised consumption programs have reduced public drug use while improving connections to health services.  Many of the alternative supports proposed by the province, in particular HART Hubs, have not been fully implemented and are not a replacement for supervised consumption services but rather a complement to.  Removing services before replacement supports are fully operational risks leaving people with active substance use with nowhere to go for care. Furthermore, the loss of these services will place a greater strain on emergency and health services.

In the coming weeks, our focus remains on supporting our dedicated staff and the clients who depend on them. We are committed to doing all we can to ensure a thoughtful and dignified transition for clients who rely on the service and ask the Government to join us.

By reinvesting the withdrawn funding into the community, we can support substance users who are not at the stage where they can be part of a HART Hub and prevent increased strain on hospitals and emergency services. Failing to reinvest will put lives, communities and neighbourhoods at risk.