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. The Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP) provides critical support to a range of innovative and time-limited community-based projects that emphasise supports towards treatment and recovery, as well as prevention and harm reduction.
Health Canada is providing more than $13 million through the ETF and SUAP for 23 projects across Northern and Western Canada. Funding will support a wide range of urgent interventions to increase local capacity to help populations most affected by the illegal drug crisis.
Here are the projects receiving funding.
British Columbia (BC)
Ehattesaht First Nation - Ehattesaht First Nation Healing Camp and Human Services Outreach Program Activities, Zeballos, BC
$1,444,578 to provide culturally-relevant mental health support to Ehattesaht First Nation members experiencing substance use and mental health challenges. This includes healing camps; a Human Services Outreach Program; a vehicle for outreach to community members; two semi-permanent modular buildings to provide washroom and laundry facilities; and professional development for staff.
Ahousaht First Nation - Qʷaamaḥsaqin: "the way that we want to be", Ahousaht, BC
$1,066,000 to support the development of four Emergency Treatment Hubs (in Maaqtusiis, Port Alberni, Nanaimo and Victoria) that will be staffed with trained outreach personnel to facilitate access to community supports and services. The project will collaborate with external health and other service providers to improve immediate/emergency service provision and to collectively develop a web of support that will eventually include stabilization/sobering supports offered directly in Maaqtusiis.
Nazko First Nation - Nazko Harm Reduction and Youth Empowerment Initiative, Quesnel, BC
$1,024,236 to provide harm reduction supplies and outreach services. This initiative is also establishing a safe, inclusive youth hub through facility renovations, offering culturally relevant programming, wellness activities, and educational initiatives on the impacts of substance use. An outreach vehicle will ensure year-round access to services, even in remote areas.
Iskut Band Council - Iskut Membership Emergency Healing Project, Iskut, BC
$972,281 to develop culturally tailored pre-care, aftercare and wellness supports for Iskut First Nation members, particularly those living off reserve in high-risk communities. Programs focus on healing, identity, on-the-land connections, elder-informed traditional mental health practices and ceremonies, along with youth healing camps, personal growth seminars, and other culturally grounded gatherings.
Tsay Keh Dene Nation - Sekani Mental Health and Wellness Initiative, Prince George, BC
An amendment of $600,000 to address the community's opioid and mental health crisis by hiring wellness professionals, improving service accessibility, and funding a cultural healing camp. With this amendment, the project is receiving a total of $1,783,573 in funding.
Westbank First Nation - Westbank Recovery Support and Transition Program, Kelowna, BC
$362,155 to increase aftercare and transitional support for Westbank First Nation community members. The program is addressing both the immediate and ongoing needs of individuals transitioning out of treatment or crisis, and back into stable or independent living. Activities will include mobile outreach, hiring an addictions counsellor, and establishing a Transition and Housing Support program.
Tahltan Band Council - Strengthening Spirits: Tahltan Wellness and Recovery Initiative, Telegraph Creek, BC
An amendment of $300,000 to respond to the illegal drug crisis with urgency, compassion, and a commitment to health and well-being. This includes on-the-land recovery camps, combining traditional healing with modern support, and quarterly harm reduction and drug awareness sessions. This program also offers community-based wellness education programs, focusing on mental wellness, nutrition, and traditional healing, while training members in crisis response, overdose prevention, and peer support. With this amendment, the project is receiving a total of $545,000 in funding.
University of Victoria Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CAPE) - Updating, Optimizing and Expanding the Canadian Alcohol Policy Evaluation (CAPE) Project, Victoria, BC
An amendment of $258,000 to update and expand the previously funded Canadian Alcohol Policy Evaluation (CAPE 2.0) project, which characterizes and systematically evaluates the degree of implementation of provincial, territorial, and federal alcohol policies across 11 evidence-based alcohol policy domains.
Le 7 Te Melamen Health Society - Supporting the Opioid Crisis through Connection, Kamloops, BC
$147,230 to expand crisis supports and outreach services across its vast territory to address the ongoing opioid crisis. By increasing accessibility to preventative, recovery, and culturally grounded land-based programs, the initiative will help members reconnect with community, family, and traditional practices. Funding is supporting dedicated positions and vehicles to deliver outreach and crisis support throughout the territory.
Circle of indigenous Nations Society - COINS Red Road Van, Castlegar, BC
$109,300 to enhance outreach and substance use and mental health supports with an outreach van to reduce barriers for Indigenous clients to access culturally grounded programs and services. Activities include seasonal harvesting and ceremonies, talking circles for addictions recovery, and gatherings for Elders, youth, and families.
Nisga'a Valley Health Authority - Low-barrier Mobile Outreach Program to Provide Urgent Health Supports to Vulnerable Indigenous Populations, Aiyansh, BC
An amendment of $57,928 to launch low-barrier mobile outreach services to support vulnerable populations in Terrace and surrounding areas. The project is seeking to improve health outcomes and reduce overdose-related deaths among those struggling with addiction, mental health issues, or homelessness by providing peer outreach, systems navigation, and supporting access to health care professionals. With this amendment, the project is receiving a total of $890,405 in funding.
Alberta (AB)
Kehewin Cree Nation - Community Care Support Units: Emergency Units for Crisis Intervention in Mental Health and Addictions, Kehewin, AB
An amendment of $546,705 to retrofit trailers into safe, stigma-free spaces for mental health and addiction recovery, offering immediate crisis intervention and transportation to medical services, while easing pressure on emergency departments. With this amendment, the project is receiving a total of $1,006,105 in funding.
Wood Buffalo Wellness Society (WBWS) - Community Outreach Support, Fort McMurray, AB
$410,500 to create two outreach positions to connect individuals using substances with resources and support services. These outreach workers serve as vital connections, fostering trust and providing consistent support to encourage individuals to participate in WBWS's supportive programming, cultural events, and ultimately reduce substance use.
Beaver Lake Cree Nation - Peer Support Workers and Outreach Wellness Van for Overdose Crisis Response, Beaver Lake Cree Nation, AB
$339,343 to address the rising illegal drug crisis in Beaver Lake Cree Nation by expanding access to culturally appropriate, trauma-informed care. Peer support workers, an outreach wellness van, and expanded harm reduction programs are providing critical overdose prevention and evidence-based response services to over 1,400 community members.
Little Red River Cree Nation (LRRCN) - Supporting LRRCN through its State of Local Emergency: Increasing Access to Harm Reduction Resources, John D'Or Prairie, AB
$65,090 to quickly reduce overdose harms among on-reserve members of the three LRRCN communities by distributing naloxone kits to households, providing harm reduction supports, training local health service staff and creating communication materials.
Saskatchewan (SK)
Ahtahkakoop Health Centre - Comprehensive Community Health and Safety Initiative for Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation: Building Resilience Through Indigenous Resources and Outreach- Mont Nebo, SK
An amendment of $2,068,683 to implement a comprehensive Community Health and Safety Initiative by providing naloxone training and distribution, family-focused education and support, and youth engagement programs. With this amendment, the project is receiving a total of $3,150,987 in funding.
City of Yorkton - Barriers to access coordinator position
Yorkton, SK
An amendment of $778,000 to create an outreach and system navigation coordinator position to assist individuals in crisis with mental health and substance use, helping them access necessary care and resources. With this amendment, the project is receiving a total of $926,625 in funding.
City of Regina - Peer-Led, Enhanced Street Outreach Project, Regina, SK
An amendment of $256,000 for outreach vans and supplies, as well as support for training and hiring peer drivers to transport and connect unsheltered individuals experiencing mental health and addiction challenges to healing-focused programs and services. With this amendment, the project is receiving a total of $933,800 in funding.
Battle River Treaty 6 Health Centre Inc. - Sweetgrass First Nation Crisis Team Development, North Battleford, SK
$52,625 to strengthen Sweetgrass First Nation's capacity to respond to the local illegal drug crisis by providing training in naloxone use and crisis debriefing, delivering skills training, and developing processes to ensure coordinated responses.
Manitoba (MB)
Northwest Metis Council - On the Road to Healing: A Mobile Outreach Initiative for the Opioid Crisis in the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) Northwest Region, Dauphin, MB
An amendment of $86,500 to address the opioid crisis among Red River Métis Citizens in the MMF Northwest Region by launching a mobile outreach van that is offering culturally relevant harm reduction education, resources like naloxone, and case management support, helping individuals access long-term treatment and community services. With this amendment, the project is receiving a total of $655,788 in funding.
Elmwood Community Resource Centre and Area Association Inc. - Reducing Risk and Harm: A Substance Use Program, Winnipeg, MB
An amendment of $31,861 to support people who use substances, with a focus on newcomer populations in the Elmwood area of Winnipeg who have completed residential substance use treatment programs.
Yukon (YT)
Shawthan Nazhi: Healing With The Land Society - Shäwthän Näzhí: Healing With The Land Society Recovery Support Program: Calling Our Spirit Home, Haines Junction, YT
$2,092,674 to assist Indigenous youth and adults in achieving sobriety amid the Yukon's opioid and alcohol health emergency through traditional ceremonies, circles, and on-the-land programming, fostering community support and healing.
Council of Yukon First Nations - Moccasin Mobile Outreach, Whitehorse, YT
$45,000 to expand its after-hours and weekend supports in downtown Whitehorse, continuing to meet people where they are and reduce barriers for vulnerable individuals. The service offers clothing, snacks, cultural connection, and harm reduction supplies aimed at overdose prevention. Staff are trained to provide first aid, naloxone, and mental health supports, as well as referrals to shelters, meals, and emergency services.
