As Kingston ponders future of safe injection site, province makes a move

Health Minister Sylvia Jones shortly after the bill was introduced (Photo X)

New bill will shut many across the province

As the future of Kingston's safe injection site has yet to be 100% decided, the province is taking steps to eliminate new sites and close others in sensitive areas.

The Ford Government tabled a bill Monday that would close supervised consumption sites deemed too close to schools and daycares.

That was Health Minister Sylvia Jones, at a press conference shortly after the bill was presented. 

If the bill is passed, municipalities would also be required to get the health minister's approval to apply for an exemption from the federal government to launch new supervised consumption sites, that's something Jones does not see happening.

Previously, municipalities could apply directly to the federal government for consumption site approval.

Ontario plans to launch 19 new homelessness and addiction recovery treatment hubs in addition to 375 highly supportive housing units.

These come at a planned cost of $378 million.

Story by Matt LeBlanc

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