Health Canada sets no minimum distance for drug sites near schools, daycares

Health Canada says it does not require supervised drug consumption sites to be located a minimum distance from schools, daycares or playgrounds, according to a departmental report.

Source: Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Health Canada says it does not require supervised drug consumption sites to be located a minimum distance from schools, daycares or playgrounds, according to a departmental report sent to the House of Commons health committee.

“Health Canada does not set a minimum distance requirement between safe consumption sites and nearby locations such as schools, daycares or playgrounds,” the department wrote in its submission. “Nor does the department collect or maintain a comprehensive list of addresses for these facilities in Canada.”

The department has approved 31 sites in six provinces under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. That includes 13 in Ontario, five in British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec, respectively, two in Saskatchewan and one in Nova Scotia.

Health Canada said that it reviews each application by five factors, including the impact of the site on crime rates and local conditions that indicate a need for the site. Other factors include the administrative structure supporting it, available operational resources, and community support or opposition.

True North recently visited London, Ont., and reported that supervised drug sites and homeless shelters—where hard drug use is common—are often located near schools, in some cases directly across the street.

Health Minister Marjorie Michel told MPs that decisions on site locations fall to her department rather than the cabinet.

“This does not fall directly under my responsibility,” Michel said.

Conservative MP Dan Mazier pressed Michel for assurances that restrictions would be placed on site locations.

“Do you personally review the applications before they’re approved?” he asked.

Michel replied that “applications are reviewed by the department.”

Mazier asked whether the minister was aware that some supervised consumption sites operate near daycares, schools and playgrounds.

“Supervised consumption sites were created to prevent overdose deaths,” Michel said. “We are reviewing all applications based on criteria.”

When asked again whether she was aware of sites located near schools, Michel said she had “read articles reporting that some sites are located near schools,” and added that “the provinces and territories set the rules.”

Asked how many federally approved sites are located next to daycares or schools, Michel said she could not provide a number.

“We only grant exemptions after conducting an analysis based on our criteria,” she said.

Mazier then asked if the minister would commit to no longer approving sites near schools or daycares.

Michel said her department would “continue to work to protect the health of Canadians.”

A 2023 departmental audit found the federal “safe supply” policy had cost $820 million and had not reduced opioid-related deaths.

“Deaths have remained higher than pre-pandemic levels,” said the report, titled Horizontal Evaluation of the Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy.