Local advocates are fighting to reverse the potential closure of Kitchener’s Consumption and Treatment Service (CTS) site.
Waterloo Region Drug Action Team (WR DAT) held a free community forum on Nov. 30, 2024 to discuss the impact of CTS sites on the community.
The event was held at Wilfrid Laurier University’s School of Social Work in downtown Kitchener and consisted of an informational panel discussion and emergency overdose training with naloxone.
The panel featured community advocates and government officials—including Michael Parkinson, drug strategy specialist and volunteer with the WR DAT; Jennifer Breaton, chief executive officer of YWCA Kitchener-Waterloo; Aislinn Clancy, Green Party MPP of Kitchener-Centre; Mike Morrice, Green Party MP of Kitchener-Centre; and Jennifer Wyse, peer support worker at the Kitchener CTS.
Each panelist gave a brief statement in support of the Kitchener CTS, followed by a discussion about the positive impact of the CTS site on the community, what the closure will mean for the community moving forward, actions being taken to reverse the provincial government’s decision and more.
“The panel was able to provide insights into the way the government works, into concerns about losing the CTS here locally,” Parkinson said.
“For the audience, that’s a rare glimpse into those kinds of worlds and, particularly, when things are really down to the wire,” he said.
In August, the provincial government made the decision to close CTS sites across Ontario that operate within 200-metres of schools of child-care centres. The Kitchener CTS site, which falls under this category, will have to close its doors by Mar. 31, 2025.
On Nov. 18, 2024 the provincial government introduced the bill as part of The Safer Streets, Stronger Community Act.
The province later chose to fast-track Bill 223, eliminating the committee stage which allows for public hearings—in this stage, people with lived experiences and industry experts can share information before further debate and voting takes place.
“We’re used to bills passing in a matter of weeks, at least…this policy was pushed through in such a rapid way that it was done in an hour,” Clancy said.
“It’s kind of appalling that a government with so much power is using it in this way and really eroding democracy,” she said.
Bill 223 was passed through third reading on Dec. 2, 2024. The timeline for the bill to receive Royal Assent is currently unknown.
Despite this, local advocates remain hopeful.
“I think it’s the hope of people in this room today that we continue to meet and mobilize. This is not a small issue, this is a big issue where lives are literally on the line,” Parkinson said.
“There is still a window for this community and, in particular, municipal government to step in at the very last second and help keep a proven, valued service going.”
With the potential closure of CTS, WR DAT expects more public overdoses to occur. Panelists discussed concerns surrounding access to ambulances and capacity inside emergency rooms.
“Members of the public need to know that this decision by the provincial government does not serve their interests, even if they’re not using drugs,” Parkinson said.
During their initial announcement, the provincial government cited safety concerns in the areas surrounding the CTS—specifically for daycares and schools.
During the panel discussion, Breaton said this was not a concern for the day-care across from the Kitchener CTS—which is also run by the YWCA Kitchener-Waterloo.
“[The parents and children who attend] have not voiced concerns with us or complaints…this decision isn’t really based on any evidence and we know that to be true. It’s a decision that’s being made based on fear,” Liz Monteiro, manager of advocacy and communications at the YWCA Kitchener, said
Jennifer Wyse shared the perspective as an individual who has worked at the site since it opened in 2019 and has also personally benefited from its services.
For Wyse, Kitchener CTS feels like a home and the site’s impending closure feels scary. Most importantly, Wyse is afraid of losing the important connections built at the site.
“I’m very hurt, very scared. My first thought was I’m going to lose all my people,” Wyse said.
“This is my everyday…I have a client who comes in for a hug. It gives him a reason every day. It gives me a reason every day_,” Wyse said.
Beyond the safe space created at the site, Wyse also noted the importance of having CTS as a stepping stone towards treatment.
“Coming from being a user that consumes drugs, we need that middleman,” Wyse said.
Looking forward, Wyse hopes continuing to educate the community through similar forums can help to spread awareness about the true impact of CTS.
“I want people to take the time to get to know CTS. It’s not people coming and just using drugs safely,” Wyse said.
“I firmly believe you can’t grow if you don’t know. Come in and ask for a tour, check out the place. Get to know what we are before you make a decision on whether or not you think we should be there,”she said.
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