Hamilton City Council voted 10-5 on Monday to call upon Premier Doug Ford to reverse his announced plan to close existing supervised consumption sites [SCS] on March 31, 2025.
The provincial Conservative government plans to replace SCS sites with 19 new “Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs.”
Hamilton joins Waterloo’s Regional Council in calling for “the Ontario government to continue funding all currently operating Consumption and Treatment Sites beyond the proposed termination date in March 2025.”
Hamilton’s SCS operates from St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church on James Street South at Jackson Street.
The provincial decision to close SCS sites has been widely criticized by medical doctors, social workers, and other specialists who work with vulnerable populations.
The Ontario government says the closures are necessary to address crime and disorder near the sites.
The province’s crime statistics have been widely critiqued, with data showing lower comparative crime stats near some SCS sites.
High-profile murders have occurred near SCS sites, including a recent incident in Kingston that resulted in two deaths. Kingston Mayor Byran Paterson called for the immediate closure of that SCS.
An employee of a Toronto SCS has been charged with one count of accessory to an indictable offence after the fact and one count of obstructing justice following a shooting outside the center.
The July 7, 2023, shooting resulted in the death of a woman who was killed by a stray bullet. The political fallout of this murder is a significant reason the current SCS model is being ended.
The Council Vote
Today’s vote occurred quickly at the beginning of Council’s public health committee meeting.
In Favour: Mayor Andrea Horwath, Maureen Wilson (Ward 1), Cameron Kroetsch (Ward 2), Nrinder Nann (Ward 3), Tammy Hwang (Ward 4), Matt Francis (Ward 5), Mark Tadeson (Ward 11), Craig Cassar (Ward 12), Alex Wilson (Ward 13), Ted McMeekin (Ward 15).
Opposed: Tom Jackson (Ward 6), Esther Pauls (Ward 7), John-Paul Danko (Ward 8), Brad Clark (Ward 9), Jeff Beattie (Ward 10).
Absent: Mike Spadafora (Ward 14).
Note: Clr Matt Francis says he mistakenly voted in favour. He intended to vote against the measure.
Production Details v. 1.1.0 Published: November 4, 2024 Last updated: November 5, 2024 Author: Joey Coleman Update Record v. 1.0.0 original version v. 1.1.0 added note following Matt Francis' statement he meant to vote against the motion.
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