The Emergency Treatment Fund (ETF) is part of the Government of Canada's efforts to help communities rapidly respond to emerging, critical needs related to the illegal drug crisis.
Health Canada is providing more than $5 million through the ETF to 6 projects across Ontario. Funding will support a wide range of urgent interventions to increase local capacity to help populations most affected by the illegal drug crisis.
The following are the projects receiving funding:
Toronto Public Health - 24/7 Monitoring and Crisis Stabilization Space for People who Use Drugs who are At Risk of Overdose in Toronto, Toronto, ON
$3,375,000 to retrofit an existing city-owned space so that it may be repurposed to open a 24/7 crisis stabilization center, offering overdose prevention support, access to naloxone and referrals to appropriate health and social services.
City of Kingston - Rapid response to ensure continued and enhanced provision of ongoing critical supports to assist displaced unsheltered individuals, Kingston, ON
$710,621 to expand street outreach, prevention, and Welcoming Streets programs to address the growing needs across the city. Activities include the distribution of outreach supplies to promote health, dignity and harm reduction, and to prevent overdoses and ease strain on shelters and public spaces.
Municipality of Chatham-Kent - Chatham-Kent (CK)-CORE (Community Overdose Response Expansion) Project, Chatham, ON
An amendment of $285,089 to provide peer-led harm reduction outreach services and training, including local referral and treatment options, anti-stigma education, and low-barrier community support spaces for people experiencing homelessness and people who use substances. With this amendment, the project is receiving a total of $859,435 in funding.
City of Hamilton - Reducing Drug Related Harm and Improving Well-being for Women and Gender Diverse People Impacted by the Overdose Crisis, Hamilton, ON
An amendment of $219,691 to reduce substance use-related harms and improve well-being for women and gender-diverse individuals in Hamilton, ON, who use opioids and other illegal substances while experiencing homelessness or violence. Activities include implementing a gender-specific harm reduction mobile team, counseling supports and leveraging partnerships to develop and disseminate best practices for gender-responsive substance use services. With this amendment, the project is receiving a total of $990,341 in funding.
City of Guelph - Health Outreach & Mobile Engagement Team - The "HOME" Team, Guelph, ON
An amendment of $59,830 to provide mobile wraparound healthcare and outreach services to those experiencing substance use issues and barriers to accessing traditional healthcare services. These services include access to addiction counselling, harm reduction and overdose prevention education and supplies, crisis management, peer support, system navigation, access to basic needs and referrals to local services. With this amendment, the project is receiving a total of $2,197,174 in funding.
Corporation of the County of Grey - Expanding Access and Capacity for Supportive Outreach Services (SOS) in Grey County, Owen Sound, ON
An amendment of $432,400 to enhance the impact of the existing SOS program, to expand the coverage area in Grey County, increase staffing to operate seven days a week, introduce peer support services, and integrate an Indigenous navigator role. With this amendment, this project is receiving a total of $1,559,100 in funding.
