Key Takeaways
- Manitoba’s Opposition leader, Obby Khan, is calling on Health Canada to reject an application for a drug consumption site on Henry Avenue in Winnipeg.
- The application was submitted by the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre, which is partnering with the province of Manitoba to operate the facility.
- The proposed site has faced criticism from community members, who cite a lack of consultation and concerns about the location’s proximity to a new Indigenous arts and culture centre.
- The Opposition party is fundamentally against the concept of having a drug consumption site and would prefer to see wrap-around supports instead.
Introduction to the Controversy
The proposal to establish a drug consumption site on Henry Avenue in Winnipeg has sparked controversy, with Manitoba’s Opposition leader, Obby Khan, calling on Health Canada to reject the application. Khan has raised concerns about the selection process and consultation process, citing a lack of baseline data to support the chosen location. The site, which would be operated by the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre in partnership with the province of Manitoba, has been met with opposition from area residents and businesses.
Concerns About the Selection Process
Khan has accused the provincial government of "making it up as they go," criticizing the lack of information provided about the proposed site, including operational details such as staffing levels, budgets, and oversight plans. He has also expressed concern about the absence of baseline data to support the selection of the location, which is an industrial building south of the Canadian Pacific Kansas City railyard. The application was submitted on December 5, the same day the proposed site location was announced to the public, and is still under review by Health Canada.
Community Opposition
Community members have begun to express frustration and concern about the proposed site, citing a lack of consultation and worries about the location’s proximity to a new Indigenous arts and culture centre. The centre, which will provide after-school programming for youth, is located within a two-to-three-minute walk of the proposed site, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of children in the area. Beverly Burkard, executive director of Winnipeg Inner City Missions, has voiced her worries about the potential impact on the community, stating that "children who live in the inner city have opportunities that we can provide that they potentially won’t even be able to access because of the concerns for their safety and well-being."
Government Response
Addictions and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith has defended the proposed location, stating that it was chosen because it is "where people need the services." Smith cited data from the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, which shows that the area has the most calls per capita for overdoses, and argued that the site needs to be located where it can be most effective. However, Khan and other community members have criticized the government’s approach, arguing that it has failed to provide adequate consultation and transparency throughout the process.
Opposition Party’s Stance
The Progressive Conservative party, led by Khan, is fundamentally opposed to the concept of having a drug consumption site. Instead, the party would prefer to see wrap-around supports, such as addiction treatment and counseling services, provided to individuals struggling with addiction. Khan has stated that his party supports local community members and business owners who do not want a consumption site in their neighborhood, and has called on Health Canada to reject the application.
Conclusion
The proposal to establish a drug consumption site on Henry Avenue in Winnipeg has sparked controversy and debate, with concerns raised about the selection process, consultation, and location. While the government has defended the proposed site, citing the need for services in the area, the Opposition party and community members have expressed opposition and frustration. As the application remains under review by Health Canada, it remains to be seen whether the site will ultimately be approved or rejected.