The Ontario government is banning hard drug consumption sites near schools and daycares and plans to implement legislation to distance itself from the Liberals’ decriminalization agenda.
The policies were confirmed in a news release issued Tuesday, which said that supervised drug consumption sites would be prohibited from being within 200 metres of schools and daycares. Any remaining sites will be required to implement new safety and security plans, including policies to discourage loitering and promote conflict de-escalation and community engagement.
The ban on injection sites will result in the closure of nine provincially-funded sites and one self-funded site by Mar. 31, 2025.
“In order to restrict access to dangerous and illegal drugs moving forward, the government will also introduce legislation this fall that would, if passed, prohibit municipalities or any organization from standing up new consumption sites or participating in federal so-called ‘safer’ supply initiatives,” reads the release.
If the legislation passes, municipalities will also be prohibited from requesting the decriminalization of illegal drugs from the federal government.
Police in Ontario previously announced that “safe supply” drugs were flooding Canadian streets.
London deputy chief Paul Bastien said the London police had seized 12,000 hydromorphone tablets in 2024. At least 11,325 of them were from the “safe supply” system.
The province is investing an additional $378 million for 19 new homelessness and addiction recovery hubs. The hubs will add up to 375 supportive housing units and treatment beds to help residents transition to long-term housing. The latest investment is in addition to the existing $3.8 billion Ontario is investing over ten years through its Roadmap to Wellness and the nearly $700 million for supportive housing.
The ban follows Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s pledge to ban “safe” injection sites near schools and playgrounds.
“They’re drug dens, and they’ve made everything worse,” said Poilievre. “Everywhere they’ve been done, they’ve made everything worse.”
The drug consumption sites not only bring drugs near communities but also contribute to crime.
Reports of assault were 113% higher, and robbery was 97% more common in neighbourhoods near consumption sites in 2023.
“Near the Hamilton site, reports of violent crime were 195% higher compared to the rest of the city, and the crime rate near the Ottawa site was 250% higher than the rest of the city,” reads the report. “The government’s new direction is also informed by reports from police services in Ontario and across Canada that hydromorphone distributed at consumption sites is being diverted and trafficked, increasing the supply of dangerous and illegal drugs in communities where these sites operate.”
The announcement was made during the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference in Ottawa.
Mayor of Brampton Patrick Brown was one of many mayors to express their gratitude.
“Grateful for the Ford government’s focus on treatment for addictions and not band-aid solutions. I share their concern about the proliferation of safe injection sites in areas close to families and children. This needs to stop,” said Brown.
Ontario’s announcement follows the mayors of Ontario’s major cities previously calling for funds to tackle homelessness and drugs.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens echoed Brown’s comments.
“Today’s announcement is a real game changer. This major investment will truly support people to get their lives back on track through needed treatment and recovery, while ensuring that neighbourhoods in Windsor and across Ontario remain safe,” said Dilkens.
British Columbia tried to implement similar legislation, banning drug use in public and recreation spaces. The B.C. Supreme Court ruled that the legislation could not come into effect until at least Mar. 31, 2024. Supreme Court Chief Justice Hinkson argued that public consumption was sometimes the safest and healthiest place for people to consume drugs.
British Columbia rolled back its drug decriminalization project in April after the province saw a record at least 2,511 suspected deaths from illegal drugs despite the project being active.