The Manitoba government has decided to relocate its initial supervised consumption site following strong opposition from local residents. Initially, the province, in collaboration with the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre, had sought approval from Health Canada last November for a site at 200 Disraeli Freeway in Winnipeg’s downtown area.
However, the proposed location faced backlash from area residents who raised concerns about its proximity to schools, a child-care center, and residential areas. Premier Wab Kinew announced that they would be exploring a new location for the facility.
Kinew stated that they would identify potential sites and evaluate them based on a 250-meter radius to ensure there are no schools or child-care centers nearby. The supervised consumption site aims to provide a safe space for individuals to inject drugs under supervision, with trained staff available to address overdoses and facilitate access to treatment services.
Initially scheduled to be operational this year, the site’s opening will now be delayed to allow for additional public consultations before launching, expected before the provincial election in October 2027. Kinew emphasized that the Disraeli Freeway location would still offer various health and social services, while a new supervised consumption site would provide essential support to address the overdose crisis in Manitoba.
The Progressive Conservatives questioned the government’s plans, noting that the Disraeli Freeway location was still listed as an open application on Health Canada’s website. They urged clarity on the site’s new location and emphasized the need for transparency in the process.
In a separate move earlier this year, the Ontario government shut down nine supervised consumption sites near educational facilities, repurposing them into centers focusing on homelessness and addiction recovery.
