US EditionOntario judge grants injunction to keep consumption sites open for now
- On March 28, 2025, Justice John Callaghan granted an injunction, allowing 10 supervised consumption sites in Ontario, including facilities in Kitchener, Hamilton, Guelph, Thunder Bay and Ottawa, slated to close on April 1, to remain open temporarily.
- The injunction was a response to a lawsuit launched in December by The Neighbourhood Group, which runs the Kensington Market Overdose Prevention Site in downtown Toronto, and two site users, challenging a new provincial law banning supervised consumption sites from operating within 200 metres of schools or daycares.
- The plaintiffs argued the law violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Constitution, specifically the right to life, liberty, and security of the person, while the province argued the law is necessary to protect the public, particularly children, from disorder and violence near consumption sites.
- Carlo Di Carlo, the lawyer representing the site and its two users, stated, 'Today's decision means people will be allowed to stay alive at least a little bit longer,' while Hannah Jensen, a spokesperson for Health Minister Sylvia Jones, said, 'Our priority is to protect children and families from violent crime and dangerous public drug use occurring at drug injection sites located near schools and daycares.'
- While Justice Callaghan considers the Charter challenge, the exemption will last until 30 days after he decides the case, and the province intends to move forward with its plan to convert nine drug injection sites to HART hubs with an abstinence-based treatment model, investing $529 million into the plan which includes 540 highly supportive housing units, though the Kensington Market site will remain open relying on donations.
31 Articles
31 Articles
The Toronto Star
Ontario supervised consumption sites to remain open as judge grants reprieve, citing ‘significant harm’ of closures
Injunction will keep the sites open past the April 1 deadline, including the site in Toronto’s Kensington Market that launched the Charter challenge.
SooToday.com
Ontario judge grants injunction allowing consumption sites to stay open for now
TORONTO — An Ontario judge has granted an injunction to keep 10 supervised consumption sites open while he considers a Charter challenge of a new provincial law that bans the sites from operating within 200 metres of schools or daycares.
Supervised drug consumption sites win injunction, can stay open for now amid Charter challenge
An Ontario judge has granted an injunction to keep 10 supervised consumption sites open while he considers a Charter challenge of a new provincial law that bans the sites from operating within 200 metres of schools or daycares.
Ottawa Citizen
Sudbury StarOntario judge grants injunction to keep supervised consumption sites open for now
TORONTO — An Ontario judge has granted an injunction to keep 10 supervised consumption sites open while he considers a Charter challenge of a new provincial law that bans the sites from operating within 200 metres of schools or daycares.
Global News
Ontario judge grants injunction to keep consumption sites open for now
Superior Court Justice John Callaghan says all sites slated to close under the new law by April 1 can remain open until 30 days after he decides the case.
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