Increase harm-reduction program funding

AI summary

Petitioners ask the Government to increase funding to the Substance Use and Addictions Program, the Community Action and Harm Reduction Funds and create an interjurisdictional secretariat. The government responds it is investing and improving coordination.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the Government of Canada Manitobans are calling for a public health emergency in light of the preventable passing of too many community members in recent weeks due to drug toxicity. A petition calling for the province to establish a public health crisis has cleared 500 signatures on change.org. BC is in its tenth year of a public health emergency regarding the drug toxicity crisis. Vancouver Costal Health Chief Medical Officer Dr Patricia Daly recently reported that the leading cause of maternal death is drug related overdose. Petitioners in London, Ontario are calling attention to public health crisis in that city related to the toxic drug supply (e-7375). Canadians are mobilizing to save the Community Action and Harm Reduction Funds through the Public Health Agency of Canada in the interests of harm reduction program continuance. We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to : 1. Increase funding to the Substance Use and Addictions Program (Health Canada); the Community Action Fund and the Harm Reduction Fund (PHAC) to: expand current projects ensuring reliable year over year supports, restore program cuts, restore and expand funding to Indigenous-led harm reduction programs and projects, and expand supports to meet need. 2. Create an interjurisdictional secretariat on harm reduction to eliminate barriers between governments and expedite creation and sustainability of frontline support that ensure continuity of care; collect, track and share data, and support responsive planning and implementation.

Government response

Response by the Minister of Health Signed by Maggie Chi Our government understands that the toxic drug and overdose crisis is a serious public health threat that is being driven by a toxic and unpredictable illegal drug supply. Fentanyl remains widespread but the rise or emergence of other substances, including stronger synthetic opioids, stimulants, and sedatives, has further compounded efforts to address the crisis. The cost of substance use-related harms extends beyond the loss of lives, affecting health, well-being, public safety and Canada’s prosperity. Our government takes this crisis very seriously and is committed to working with all orders of government, Indigenous Peoples and communities, law enforcement, criminal justice, health and social systems, people with lived and living experience and other key stakeholders, to take action and leverage every available tool to save lives. Our government is responding to these challenges with sustained investments that support a continuum of services through key programs such as Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program and the Emergency Treatment Fund. The Substance Use and Addictions Program represents a significant and ongoing federal investment in addressing substance use. Since 2017, the Government of Canada has committed over $762 million to more than 475 projects nationwide. As of June 2026, more than 75 active projects valued at over $225 million, are supporting municipal, Indigenous, and not-for-profit led initiatives across the full spectrum of care, including prevention, harm reduction, treatment supports and recovery. Substance Use and Addictions Program funding is time limited and is intended to help generate evidence on innovative approaches to substance use, while supporting organizations in sustaining and expanding services. Information on individual projects funded through the Substance Use and Addictions Program can be found on Health Canada’s webpage. Additionally, Budget 2024 allocated $150 million over three years to establish the Emergency Treatment Fund. The Emergency Treatment Fund provides urgent, time-limited support to municipalities and Indigenous communities to rapidly respond to emergent and critical needs related to the illegal drug crisis. It aims to strengthen local capacity and improve access to culturally-relevant, trauma-informed, and evidence-based programs and services and is not meant to provide long-term sustainability for projects or organizations. As of June 2026, the Emergency Treatment Fund has funded more than 135 projects in municipalities and Indigenous communities across Canada. Thirty new projects to address urgent community needs have been approved for the remaining Emergency Treatment Fund funding through a recent call for proposals. Information on individual projects funded through the Emergency Treatment Fund, can be found on Health Canada's webpage, which is updated regularly as new projects are announced. The Public Health Agency of Canada also plays a role in responding to this challenges, investing $33.4M annually in grants and contribution funding through the HIV and Hepatitis C Community Action Fund and the Harm Reduction Fund. The Community Action Fund funding of $26.4M annually has remained unchanged for two decades, while the Harm Reduction Fund has remained stable at $7M annually for the previous six years. These funding programs support harm reduction efforts to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted and blood borne infections among people who use drugs. Funding is traditionally provided for five-year projects which were scheduled to end March 31, 2027. As the Public Health Agency of Canada continues to transition from peak-pandemic operations and to address Budget 2025, including a streamlining of program delivery by consolidating grants and contributions programs, future Public Health Agency of Canada funding solicitations are under development. As an interim measure, current recipients have been offered an opportunity to apply for an additional year of funding to support uninterrupted delivery of programs and services to March 2028. Our government recognizes the importance of strong interjurisdictional collaboration to support a comprehensive and compassionate approach to substance use centered on promoting both public health and public safety. We are working closely with the provinces and territories, Indigenous partners, and community stakeholders to strengthen coordination and advance initiatives across the full continuum of care – prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery – including exploring opportunities to enhance existing mechanisms to better support frontline service delivery and continuity of care.