Rally held at Queen's Park to push province to end review of consumption treatment sites
More than two dozen people boarded a bus in Barrie on Tuesday morning to join countless others at Queen's Park to call on the Ford government to ends its review of provincially-funded consumption treatment sites (CTS).
The halt and review measure was prompted by a fatal shooting outside a consumption and treatment site in Toronto nearly one year ago.
- Download the CTV News app free to get updates and alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Since then, proposed sites, including the one on Innisfil Street in Barrie, have been in limbo, which advocates say is unacceptable.
"We got one that's set to open and supposed to be open at this building at 11 Innisfil, and that's been delayed at least two years, if not three," said Silas Randell, a representative with Barrie Homelessness and Housing Justice Network.
"I feel like it's really irresponsible to use a tragedy that tore apart the lives of a family in Toronto and pit that against a whole community who do drugs, instead of actively engaging in supporting the community as a whole," said Gilbert Centre Harm Reduction manager Sarah Tilley.
The rally at Queen's Park on Tuesday saw community groups from Timmins, Sudbury, Windsor and several other municipalities band together to push the province to take a step forward.
The proposed CTS on Innisfil Street in Barrie remains vacant while the approval process is 'on pause' during the province's review process.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6949994.1720031014!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'I'm not leaving': Biden meets with top Democrats, rejects calls to abandon campaign
U.S. President Joe Biden vowed to stay in the 2024 presidential race during a call with campaign staff on Wednesday and sought to reassure top Democrats on Capitol Hill that he is fit for reelection despite his shaky debate performance last week.
'Not my finest moment:' Police called to dispute between Ottawa city councillor and daycare owner
Ottawa city councillor Clarke Kelly says he is not apologizing after a Kinburn daycare owner alleged he screamed and swore in front of children during a dispute that saw police called to the scene on Wednesday afternoon.
Is Greece's six-day work week an option in Canada? An expert weighs in
As some Canadian companies explore offering staff a four-day work week, experts are watching Greece's move closely and suggest it could work in Canada.
Irish prime minister 'appalled' by Montrealer's death after alleged assault
Ireland's prime minister says he's "absolutely appalled" by an assault in the country's capital that resulted in the death of a tourist from Montreal.
Ontario man suffers cardiac arrest in Florida. This is why insurance won't cover his $620,000 hospital bill
An Ontario man who wanted to spend time with his family in Florida was hospitalized after suffering a cardiac arrest at the airport as he was about to fly back to Canada.
No tsunami threat after multiple earthquakes recorded off Vancouver Island
Five earthquakes were recorded in quick succession off the British Columbia coast on Wednesday afternoon.
Hudson's Bay Co. to purchase U.S. department store Neiman Marcus: reports
Hudson's Bay Co. has reached a deal to buy luxury department store chain Neiman Marcus, according to media reports.
Trudeau focused on governing, fighting right-wing populism following byelection loss
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been taking calls from different members of his Liberal caucus following the party's historic byelection loss in a Toronto riding last week, but the prime minister said his focus remains on governing.
Canadian feels 'abandoned' in Mexico after WestJet strike
More than 1,100 WestJet flights and counting have been cancelled since last Thursday, when a strike by the airlines mechanics union grounded travel plans for more than 100,000 customers.