September 29, 2023 | Ottawa, ON| Health Canada
Canada is facing an unrelenting and tragic toxic drug and overdose crisis. No community has been left untouched. The impacts are seen and felt among our friends, our family, and our neighbours. That's why we are leveraging all the tools at our disposal to work towards an end to this national public health crisis-including prevention, harm reduction, treatment and enforcement.
Today, the Honourable Ya'ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced the launch of the 2023 national call for proposals for Health Canada's Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP). The deadline to submit applications is November 22, 2023. Those disproportionately impacted, including Indigenous peoples and communities; Women; LGBTQ2S+ individuals; and rural and remote communities, are particularly encouraged to apply for funding.
In addition, Minister Saks announced more than $4 million in funding for four community projects in Ottawa that have reached more than 40,000 people. The projects aim to increase access to services for those who use drugs and help improve health outcomes for people who are at risk of experiencing substance-related harms.
The Government of Canada will continue to work with all levels of government, partners, Indigenous communities, stakeholders, people with lived and living experience, and community organizations across the country to support a full range of services and improve health outcomes for all Canadians, save lives and work towards an end to this national public health crisis.
