Statement on the Defunding of Supervised Consumption Sites in Ontario

On March 13, 2026, the Ontario government announced plans to cut funding from seven supervised consumption sites (SCSs) across the province. In Toronto, this decision will close two sites—Fred Victor and Moss Park Consumption and Treatment Services—essential spaces that prevent overdose, reduce harm and connect people to care. 

This move builds on policy changes in 2024, when restrictions on site locations led to the closure of multiple sites across Ontario. Together, these measures reflect a broader shift away from harm reduction toward abstinence-based approaches, limiting access to services that save lives. 

Supervised consumption sites put harm reduction into action. They provide safe, clean spaces where people can use previously-obtained substances under the supervision of trained staff. They prevent fatal overdoses, reduce the spread of infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C and connect people to critical health and social supports. To date, there have been zero recorded fatal overdoses in these sites across Canada. Removing these services will increase the risk of preventable deaths, add pressure on the few remaining sites and push more injections to occur outside of safe settings across the city. 

While we are not a supervised consumption site, harm reduction is deeply embedded in our work. Located in Moss Park, a neighbourhood with the highest number of calls to paramedic services for suspected opioid overdoses in 2025, we see firsthand how substance use, poverty, mental health and barriers to care intersect in the lives of people we serve. We recognize and celebrate that people who use drugs are a part of our community, and we work to ensure they feel safe and supported in accessing services that respect their needs and experiences. 

Sherbourne Health stands with our clients, neighbours and partners. We will continue to provide care that is compassionate, non-judgmental and guided by principles of safety, health and dignity.  

We encourage our community to take action and sign the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO)’s action alert urging the government to maintain life-saving supervised consumption services.