'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
BREAKING Police investigating shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.