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 has provided more than $936,000 through the ETF to three projects across Atlantic Canada. These projects that started last spring helped to increase access to and availability of substance use health services, social supports, and culturally appropriate programming. Funding helped 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 who have received funding:
New Brunswick (NB)
City of Fredericton - Overnight Outreach, Fredericton, NB
An amendment of $688,690 to expand outreach efforts by adding overnight services to support vulnerable populations. The project will deliver supplies, provide transport to critical services, distribute naloxone, and offer overdose support and weather warnings year-round. With this amendment, the project received a total of $1,266,790 in funding.
City of Miramichi - From Emergency to Empowerment: Urgent Wraparound Care Solutions, Miramichi, NB
An amendment of $162,500 to develop an urgent wraparound treatment center as an extension of the new Out of the Cold shelter in Miramichi to provide immediate access to critical care and services, and strengthen local capacity to respond to the illegal drug crisis. With this amendment, the project has received a total of $1,693,310 in funding.
Newfoundland and Labrador (NL)
First Light St. John's Friendship Centre Inc. - Walking the Lands for Recovery - An Indigenous Peer Support Circle, St John's, NL
An amendment of $85,000 to create an Indigenous Peer Support Circle in an urban setting, providing culturally grounded pathways to healing for Indigenous community members facing substance use challenges, trauma, and mental health issues. The initiative includes land-based healing activities, harm reduction services, cultural healing practices, and peer support that aligns with Indigenous ways of knowing and healing. With this amendment, the project has received a total of $451,232 in funding.
