Question Period Note: Supervised Consumption Services

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KEY MESSAGES
• Supervised consumption sites provide lifesaving medical services to people who use drugs. SCS are a pathway to connect people to other health and social supports, including counselling, treatment and housing.
• When appropriately funded, well-managed and well-integrated into communities, these sites help reduce public drug use and ease the strain on emergency services.
• We will work with provinces, municipalities and Indigenous communities to help keep communities safe while also providing access to lifesaving medical services.
IF PRESSED
Q1 : If pressed on provincial (Ontario, QC, AB) legislation
A1 :
• Supervised consumption sites provide access to important health and social services, including connection to substance use treatment for those who are ready; provinces, territories and municipalities play a key role in their effective operation through legislation, regulations, policies, and investments.
• There are decades of evidence, which demonstrate that supervised consumption sites save lives and can contribute positively to surrounding communities. They are a key component of Canada’s comprehensive approach to the overdose crisis.
• The Government of Canada will continue working with provinces and territories to support the full range of services needed to protect public health and public safety.
Q2: If pressed on how many supervised consumption sites are located within 500 metres of a school, daycare, playground, park or seniors’ home
A2:
• Communities select a proposed location based on the local needs and in consultation with local stakeholders. Health Canada does not set out a minimum distance requirement between supervised consumption sites and locations such as schools and daycares.
• Before applying for an exemption, sites must engage their local community and submit a report outlining how potential concerns will be addressed.
• All issued exemptions include a requirement for sites to comply with all relevant federal, provincial and municipal laws. This includes any provincially legislated minimum distance requirements between supervised consumption sites and locations such as schools and daycares.
• If an exemption is granted, ongoing community engagement, including with nearby schools, is required.
Q3: If pressed on how supervised consumption sites are funded
A3:
• Supervised consumption sites may receive funding from provinces or territories, municipalities, private sources, charities, or a combination of these sources.
• As a health service, the federal government does not directly fund their operation, except in certain federal correctional facilities.
• The federal role is to review applications and authorize sites, where and as appropriate, to operate legally within Canada’s drug laws.
Q4: If pressed on renewals for supervised consumption sites where there are community concerns
A4:
• Our government prioritizes health and safety and acknowledges that some communities have expressed concerns about the operation of these sites.
• All levels of government play a role in ensuring these services operate successfully, and coordination is increasingly important.
• Health Canada’s role includes reviewing exemption requests so sites can operate legally under federal drug laws.
• Applications are assessed with attention to public health and public safety.
• Applicants must demonstrate community engagement, outline measures to address concerns, and are strongly encouraged to collaborate with provincial, municipal, and law enforcement partners to support effective and responsive service delivery.

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KEY STATS
• Since 2017, the number of supervised consumption sites (SCS) in Canada has increased from 2 to a peak of 40, with 32 currently in operation. As of May 2025, SCS have:
- Been visited more than 5.3 million times
- Responded to over 65,000 overdoses
- Made over 624,000 referrals to health and social services