In Ontario, Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative government is banning drug consumption sites near schools and child care centres, closing down 10 sites across the province, including 5 in Toronto. Sylvia Jones, Ontario’s health minister also announced $378 million dollars to establish 19 new homelessness or addiction recovery hubs, or HART hubs. These hubs with wrap-around services are similar to what Premier Danielle Smith’s UCP government has successfully implemented in Alberta. Canada’s Conservative party leader Pierre Poilievre says a Conservative government under his leadership would not fund drug consumption sites, instead tax dollars would go towards treatment options. Doug Ford’s Ontario Progressive Conservatives also plan to pass legislation banning city councils from participating in the federal government’s so-called “safer supply” programs.
