Ontario introduced a bill on Monday seeking to close 10 supervised consumption sites considered too close to schools and daycares.
If passed by Premier Doug Ford’s majority Progressive Conservative government, the legislation would also mandate municipal approval from the health minister before applying to the federal government for new supervised consumption site exemptions.
That was Health Minister Sylvia Jones, at a press conference following the bill being presented.
If the bill is passed, municipalities would also be required to get the health minister’s approval to apply for an exemption from the federal government to launch new supervised consumption sites.
Something Jones does not see happening.
Previously, municipalities could apply directly to the federal government for consumption site approval.
Ontario plans to launch 19 new homelessness and addiction recovery treatment hubs in addition to 375 highly supportive housing units.
These come at a planned cost of $378 million.
(Written by Matt LeBlanc)