'A humanitarian and health crisis': St. Boniface Street Links among Manitoba projects receiving $2.5 million in federal funding
Manitoba harm reduction projects will be receiving $2.5 million in funding from the federal government.
"Lives are at stake, and we must do everything we can to protect the health and safety of all Canadians," said Dan Vandal, Minister for Prairies Economic Development Canada.
According to Vandal, there were 407 deaths in Manitoba due to illicit substances last year, up from 370 in 2020.
"We all know one death is too many," he said.
"By scaling up prevention, harm reduction and the treatment efforts, projects funded through Health Canada's Substance Use and Addictions Program will help people at risk of experiencing substance-related harms as well as overdose."
Vandal made the funding announcement Monday at St. Boniface Street Links, which is receiving $300,000 of the funding.
St. Boniface Street Links provides services like counselling and legal aid, as well as an outreach program for those experiencing homelessness.
Marion Willis, the founder and executive director of St. Boniface Street Links, said the funding is the largest the organization has received.
"We've really been trying to change how we look at mental health and addiction," she said. "To be successful, recovery takes time, and there needs to be a care plan."
St. Boniface Street Links will use the funds to implement their Outreach and Supportive Interventions for Substance Use (OASIS) programming, which provides wraparound supports and individualized care planning to people who are at a heightened risk of substance-related overdoses and face barriers to accessing care in Winnipeg.
Willis said the funds would help St. Boniface Street Links be proactive in assisting those struggling with addiction.
"The pandemic has been overlapping a six-and-a-half-year drug epidemic that has really created a humanitarian and health crisis in this city and province," said Willis. "Governments and philanthropy willing to resource innovative, high-impact projects like OASIS will see a reduction in loss of life, reduced homelessness, reduced crime and reduced pressure on policing, EMS and hospitals."
Willis said to date, the organization has helped house 272 people.
"By supporting initiatives like St. Boniface Street Links, we can help Canadians receive the health services and support they need to improve their health and overall quality of life," said Vandal.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.