Manitoba Opposition Demands Rejection of Winnipeg Drug Site Proposal

Manitoba’s Opposition Leader, Obby Khan, has formally requested that Health Canada reject an application for a proposed drug consumption site located at 366 Henry Avenue in Winnipeg. Citing significant concerns regarding the selection and consultation processes, Khan emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of the application, which was submitted by the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre on December 5, 2023.

Khan’s opposition, articulated in a letter to the federal health department, highlighted the “absence of baseline data” that would substantiate the proposed location’s viability. The site, situated in an industrial area near the Canadian Pacific Kansas City railyard, has met with resistance from local residents and business owners. “Health Canada must reject the proposed Henry location for the drug injection site proposed by this NDP government,” Khan stated during a press conference outside the site, flanked by community members.

The concerns extend beyond the location’s appropriateness. Khan criticized the provincial government’s handling of the situation, claiming they are lacking transparency regarding operational details, such as staffing levels and budget allocations. His remarks reflect a growing frustration among those who believe the government has not adequately engaged with the community regarding the proposed site.

Local discourse on the matter intensified following the announcement of the site’s location. Jeff Bereza, the Progressive Conservative MLA for Portage la Prairie and the party’s addictions critic, noted that despite several public consultation meetings, “no one has been able to get any information” regarding the site. He claimed that the government is proceeding without sufficient support for the decision.

In defense of the proposal, Bernadette Smith, Manitoba’s Minister of Addictions and Homelessness, asserted that the site was chosen based on data from the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, which indicated a high frequency of overdose calls in the area. “We need to meet people where they are for this service to be effective,” Smith remarked.

Despite her assertions, community members expressed discontent over the perceived lack of genuine consultation. A spokesperson for Health Canada previously clarified that applicants under the urgent public health need stream are not mandated to conduct formal community consultations. Instead, they must outline their plans for community engagement, with Health Canada retaining the authority to request further information if deemed necessary.

As frustration mounts, residents like Isidro Romeo Zapata, who has lived in the area for over three decades, voiced their concerns. “Now they are trying to [shove] it down our throat without Vaseline,” he said, capturing the sentiment of many who feel sidelined in the decision-making process.

Concerns have also been raised regarding the proximity of the proposed site to a new Indigenous arts and culture centre, which is set to provide after-school programming for local youth. Beverly Burkard, executive director of Winnipeg Inner City Missions, warned that the site could jeopardize the safety and well-being of children in the area. She noted that the proposed site is within a two-to-three-minute walk from the centre, despite the province’s earlier commitment to avoid establishing consumption sites within 250 metres of schools or childcare facilities.

The provincial government’s initial attempt to establish a supervised consumption site at a different location on Disraeli Freeway faced similar backlash, ultimately leading to its withdrawal. Khan reiterated his support for local business owners and community members in Point Douglas and North Logan who oppose the consumption site. He stated that the Progressive Conservative Party fundamentally opposes the concept of drug consumption sites and advocates for alternative support measures.

As the situation unfolds, the application remains under review by Health Canada. The outcome of this proposal could significantly impact the ongoing discourse surrounding public health initiatives and community safety in Winnipeg.