In a bold call to action, six former mayors of Toronto have urged the Ontario government to reinstate funding for supervised drug-use facilities and to repeal legislation that has led to the closure of numerous sites across the province. The mayors’ open letter, addressed to Premier Doug Ford and Health Minister Sylvia Jones, highlights alarming increases in overdose deaths and public spending as a direct consequence of these closures.
Urgent Appeal for Change
The letter, released late on Tuesday, reflects a growing concern among former city leaders who argue that the removal of these supervised sites exacerbates the ongoing overdose crisis. The signatories—David Crombie, Art Eggleton, Barbara Hall, David Miller, John Sewell, and John Tory—contend that while supervised consumption sites are not a standalone solution to substance use issues, they are essential components of a comprehensive health care strategy.
“Removing them from Ontario does not improve anyone’s health or make anyone safer,” the former mayors stated. “It leads to more death and increased public expenditures.” The recent provincial legislation, passed in 2024, bans sites from operating within 200 metres of schools or daycares, targeting ten locations, most of which have since transitioned to treatment hubs.
Impact of Funding Cuts
Last week, Ontario officials confirmed a significant funding cut that affects another eight drug-use sites, compelling them to shift towards abstinence-based treatment models. With the government also imposing a ban on the establishment of new sites, the landscape for harm reduction in Toronto is rapidly deteriorating.
Bill Sinclair, Chief Executive Officer of The Neighbourhood Group, which manages the Kensington Market Overdose Prevention Site, reported a sharp increase in site usage since the closures. “We’ve seen a doubling in the number of visits that we’re receiving,” Sinclair noted, adding that recent months have been particularly taxing. “It’s very busy and it’s a huge strain on our resources.”
The Debate Over Harm Reduction
The viability of drug-use sites has been a contentious topic, especially among conservative governments across Canada that often prioritise recovery support over harm reduction measures. Last Friday, the Alberta government announced the closure of Calgary’s only supervised drug-use site and a mobile unit in Lethbridge, intensifying the debate on the effectiveness of such facilities.
Advocates stress the critical role these sites play in saving lives and connecting individuals with necessary social and treatment resources. In contrast, critics argue that they contribute to increased crime and social disorder in nearby communities.
John Sewell, one of the letter’s initiators, emphasised the necessity of properly managed sites. “If we don’t have supervised consumption sites, a lot more drug use will happen out in public,” he said in an interview. “We’ll see more people dead outside, more taking drugs in Tim Hortons’ washrooms, and it gets worse for all of us.”
Rising Crisis Statistics
Data referenced by the former mayors underscores the dire consequences of site closures. A report by university experts Gillian Kolla and Tara Gomes, published last Friday, indicates a nearly 70% increase in emergency medical service calls for opioid overdoses since the closure of drug-use sites in April. Furthermore, Ontario’s Chief Coroner’s data reveals a roughly 19% rise in confirmed and probable opioid-related deaths from April to October 2025.
Dr. Kolla remarked on the troubling trends, stating, “It’s really clear that we’re seeing a reversal right now where numbers of EMS calls and emergency department visits and deaths are going back up again after a period of decline.”
Premier Doug Ford dismissed the former mayors’ claims as “totally wrong,” asserting that a recent study from Alberta contradicts their assertions. However, the Alberta study’s findings were deemed inconclusive due to its limited follow-up period. Further scrutiny by academics from the University of Alberta and University of Calgary has raised questions about the study’s methodology and potential conflicts of interest among its authors.
Continued Resistance from Ontario Officials
Health Minister Sylvia Jones has reiterated that the government will not alter its course. “We want to ensure that there is a pathway out of addictions,” she stated firmly. The Liberal Party’s public health critic, MPP Adil Shamji, an emergency physician, echoed the concerns raised in the former mayors’ letter, noting the increasing challenge for clinicians to deliver critical mental health and addiction services.
Meanwhile, Ontario’s NDP Leader Marit Stiles expressed her disapproval of the government’s decision to defund these essential sites, arguing that it disregards the evidence supporting harm reduction.
Why it Matters
The ongoing debate surrounding drug-use sites in Ontario highlights a critical public health issue that affects not only those struggling with addiction but also the broader community. As overdose rates continue to climb and the strain on emergency services intensifies, the former mayors’ plea serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of neglecting harm reduction strategies. Without a comprehensive approach that includes supervised consumption sites, the province risks further entrenching its public health crisis, exacerbating the suffering of vulnerable populations. It is imperative for the government to reconsider its stance and prioritise evidence-based solutions that can save lives and foster safer communities.
