Thank you, Minister Sylvia Jones, for protecting Brampton families from unsafe drug policies

Parks and public spaces are the heart of our communities – they are where families gather, children play, and neighbours connect. These spaces are meant to foster joy and community, not to be overshadowed by unsafe drug policies that put lives at risk.

We extend our gratitude to Minister of Health Sylvia Jones, Premier Doug Ford and the Government of Ontario for their decisive action to shut down the safe injection site at the Region of Peel building near Chinguacousy Park. This decision reflects a clear commitment to protecting families, maintaining public safety, and addressing the root causes of addiction through meaningful solutions, not failed experiments.

The site will officially be shut down on March 31, 2025, and this closure is a victory for the families of Brampton who deserve safe and welcoming public spaces. Importantly, this site was opposed vehemently by Brampton’s local councillors, MPP and Mayor – it was advocated by former Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie when she sat on Peel Council.

We’ve seen the consequences of safe injection sites in other cities, and the results are undeniable. In Vancouver and Toronto, these sites have failed to deliver the outcomes advocates promised. Instead of reducing harm, they’ve entrenched cycles of addiction, increased public drug use, and left neighbourhoods grappling with discarded needles and heightened safety concerns.

For example, in Toronto, a mother of two, Karolina Huebner-Makurat, was tragically killed by a stray bullet outside the South Riverdale Community Health Centre. This heartbreaking incident prompted a class-action lawsuit from Leslieville residents, who claim the area around the safe injection site has deteriorated to such a degree that locals fear for their safety. The lawsuit details disturbing criminal activity, including violent assaults and visible drug use, and highlights the devastating impact these sites can have on communities.

Similarly, in Vancouver, locals have filed a lawsuit against the city, Vancouver Coastal Health, and a non-profit, alleging that the Thomus Donaghy Overdose Prevention Site turned their neighbourhood into a hotspot for crime and public disorder. Plaintiffs report witnessing violent assaults and other criminal activity, making the area unsafe for residents.

We cannot ignore the tragic incidents and the mounting legal challenges arising from these sites, which serve as stark reminders of the dangers of normalizing drug use. Families deserve better than a public health strategy that normalizes harmful behaviors without addressing their root causes.

The reality is simple: safe injection sites don’t break the cycle of addiction – they enable it. Harm reduction alone cannot replace recovery-focused interventions. If anything, the experiences of cities like Vancouver and Toronto show us what not to do. We must learn from these failures, not repeat them.

We’ve also strongly advocated for increased investments in treatment and rehabilitation beds. If we want to address addiction, we need to tackle it head-on, with resources that help people recover, not policies that perpetuate their struggles.

Critics may suggest that opposing safe injection sites lacks compassion, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Compassion doesn’t mean enabling harmful behavior – it means offering meaningful solutions. It means prioritizing treatment, safety and dignity over dangerous short-term fixes.

As we face the addiction crisis, we need bold action and innovative approaches. We cannot settle for the “same old” methods that have failed cities like Vancouver and Toronto. Brampton stands ready to lead with compassion, accountability and a firm commitment to public safety.

To the province of Ontario: thank you for supporting us in protecting our community. Together, we can create safer spaces, support those in need, and build a healthier, more resilient Peel Region.

– Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, Councillor Rod Power and Councillor Pat Fortini