February 28, 2025 | Thunder Bay, ON | Health Canada
No community has been left untouched by the toxic drug and overdose crisis. Its tragic impacts are seen and felt among our families, friends, and neighbours. Municipalities and Indigenous communities are on the front lines of this public health crisis, each and every day.
Today, the Honourable Ya'ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health and the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services of Canada, announced over $11.4 million in funding from the Emergency Treatment Fund (ETF) to support 14 projects across Canada. Minister Saks also announced $73.3 million in funding for 51 projects under the Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP).
The ETF is part of our efforts to help communities rapidly respond to emerging, critical needs related to the overdose crisis faced by municipalities and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. ETF will provide support for a wide range of urgent interventions to bolster local capacity to support the most affected populations.
The SUAP supports a broad range of community organizations working to connect people to care and save lives. These organizations are using their expertise and experience to help meet the unique needs of the people in their communities by providing culturally appropriate, trauma-informed, and evidence-based programs and services.
The funding announced today will help communities provide immediate support where it is needed most. There is no simple approach to solving the overdose crisis, and no community can do it alone. We are committed to working with all levels of government, stakeholders, partners, and people with lived and living experience, to protect the health and safety of our communities.
