Manitoba will relocate its first supervised drug use site after public pushback on its proposed Winnipeg location, Premier Wab Kinew confirms.
Province Confirms Relocation Plans
The Manitoba government says its first supervised consumption site will move to a new location following community concerns. Premier Wab Kinew confirmed on Wednesday that the province remains committed to opening the facility but will not proceed with the originally proposed site.
Concerns Over Initial Site
The project had been planned for 200 Disraeli Freeway in Winnipeg’s core, near a high school and several child-care centres. Local residents objected, arguing the placement posed safety risks and was not appropriate for a neighborhood so close to schools.
Premier Responds to Pushback
Kinew said the NDP government took community input seriously and has committed to reassessing options. He announced a new approach: any potential site will be assessed with a 250-metre buffer zone to ensure it is not too close to sensitive facilities such as schools or daycares.
Ottawa Submission Still in Place
The provincial government had already submitted its original proposal to the federal government, seeking approval for a facility where people could use drugs under supervision, with medical staff ready to respond to overdoses and provide connections to treatment. The site would be the first of its kind in Manitoba.
Delays to Opening Timeline
The province had initially aimed to open the supervised consumption site this year. However, with the location change, officials now expect delays. No new opening date has been announced.
Balancing Safety and Health
Kinew stressed that the government remains committed to harm reduction and overdose prevention. “We want a site that saves lives while also respecting the concerns of families,” he said. Manitoba continues to face rising overdose deaths, making the project a key element of its public health response.
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