The Government of Canada is providing additional support to communities in Ontario that are most affected by the illegal drug crisis through the Emergency Treatment Fund (ETF). The fund is designed to help local authorities respond quickly to urgent and emerging needs related to substance use and overdose risks.
Health Canada has allocated more than $5 million through the ETF to support six projects across the province. These initiatives aim to expand local capacity and deliver urgent interventions that assist vulnerable populations, particularly individuals facing homelessness, substance use challenges and barriers to accessing healthcare services.
A significant portion of the funding has been awarded to Toronto Public Health to establish a 24-hour crisis stabilization centre for people who use drugs and are at risk of overdose. The project will retrofit an existing city-owned facility to provide overdose prevention support, access to naloxone and referrals to health and social services.
In Kingston, funding will support expanded street outreach and prevention initiatives aimed at assisting displaced and unsheltered individuals. The program will distribute outreach supplies that promote harm reduction and help prevent overdoses while easing pressure on shelters and public spaces.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent will use additional funding to strengthen its Community Overdose Response Expansion project. The initiative will provide peer-led outreach, harm reduction education, training and accessible support spaces for individuals experiencing homelessness or substance use challenges.
In Hamilton, the funding will enhance services aimed at reducing drug-related harm among women and gender-diverse individuals affected by the overdose crisis. The project will introduce a gender-focused harm reduction mobile team, counseling services and partnerships to promote gender-responsive approaches to substance use support.
The City of Guelph will expand its Health Outreach and Mobile Engagement team, which delivers mobile healthcare and outreach services to individuals experiencing substance use issues. The program offers addiction counseling, overdose prevention education, crisis support, peer assistance and referrals to essential community services.
Additional support will also strengthen the Supportive Outreach Services program in Grey County. The funding will expand service coverage, increase staffing to provide seven-day support, introduce peer support services and add an Indigenous navigator role to help improve access to culturally appropriate care.
Through these investments, the Government of Canada aims to help communities respond more effectively to the illegal drug crisis by improving harm reduction services, strengthening outreach programs and ensuring vulnerable individuals have better access to health and social support systems.
