Ford Conservatives putting hundreds of lives on the line in Northern Ontario

SUDBURY - NDP MPP Jamie West (Sudbury) and Official Opposition Health critic France Gélinas (Nickel Belt) say the Ford Conservatives are putting hundreds of lives at risk by refusing to fund harm reduction health care in the midst of an opioid epidemic in Northern Ontario, especially in Sudbury and Timmins.

"Let's be clear – Northern Ontario faces unique challenges that demand tailored strategies," said West. "Ford once again is failing to recognize the realities and needs of the North. This opioid overdose crisis cannot be ignored. Lives are at stake. Our community members will continue to die if we do not act."

Sudbury is grappling with one of the highest opioid overdose death rates in the province. A staggering 112 deaths were reported last year in Sudbury-Manitoulin alone, translating to a heartbreaking nine deaths every month, three times the provincial average.

"It is not a crime to be addicted to opioids; it's an illness affecting our neighbours, friends, and loved ones,” Gélinas said. “The government did a review when they came into power in 2018, the evidence is clear: supervised consumption sites save lives. We need to give people the health care they need and a chance at survival. The time for excuses is over. Lives are at stake, and the government has a moral duty to act now!"

The Spot, Sudbury's supervised consumption site, is a lifeline that saves lives. They have successfully reversed all 17 on-site overdoses, and they have linked people to the care they need to overcome their addiction and mental illness. Yet, despite this life-saving work, the Conservatives are unwilling to take their responsibilities and fund them. They have been waiting for an update since 2021. This is a provincial responsibility. The City of Greater Sudbury can’t afford to pay Doug Ford’s bills anymore.

"The lack of provincial funding means that the Spot will close and lives will be lost," said West. "These deaths, these tragedies… they will be the direct consequence of this government’s decisions. While the lives of Ontarians hang in the balance, this government attempts to politicize the issue when the solution is clear-cut."

The Ontario NDP's message is clear: the Ford Conservatives must immediately fund the overdose prevention sites in Sudbury and Timmins so they can carry out lifesaving, evidence-supported work that will save lives. The North deserves equity!