Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says the province’s first supervised drug consumption site may not open for several months, despite earlier indications a temporary facility would launch soon.
Kinew told reporters the government is working with a local service provider to ensure users are connected to treatment, recovery, and social services before opening. The NDP had previously proposed a mobile unit in Winnipeg while awaiting federal approval for a permanent site, potentially operational by next winter.
The plan has now shifted toward embedding comprehensive healthcare interventions into the facility from day one. The move responds to rising overdose deaths and public drug use in Winnipeg.