PCs, North Logan Residents Urge Health Canada to Reject Drug Consumption Site on Henry Avenue
WINNIPEG — Progressive Conservatives joined with residents and businesses of Point Douglas’ North Logan neighbourhood today to call on Health Canada to reject the proposed drug consumption site at 366 Henry Ave. following serious concerns about both the proposed location and the flawed process used to select it.
PCs, along with North Logan community members, leaders, and educators have submitted respective letters to Health Canada outlining these concerns and challenging the rationale for placing the site in this neighbourhood. The submissions identify major gaps in accountability, transparency, and evidence-based planning, pointing to a lack of proper preparation and due diligence by the Kinew NDP.
“Residents and local businesses have been clear from the beginning, this process has failed them,” said Obby Khan, Leader of the Official Opposition. “There was no meaningful consultation, no transparency, and no credible evidence to justify why Point Douglas/North Logan was chosen.”
Central issues include the absence of a comprehensive plan and a lack of baseline data. The NDP government has provided no information on current or recent overdose rates in the community, making it impossible to assess need, evaluate risk, or determine whether this location is appropriate.
Despite claims that the site will improve health outcomes without increasing public safety risks, the application includes no defined success measures, no clear evaluation framework, and no accountability mechanisms.
Public safety concerns also remain unaddressed. The NDP have not outlined how the Winnipeg Police Service will manage loitering, public drug use, or paraphernalia disposal, nor is there a plan to coordinate with police, EMS, or municipal services should conditions worsen.
“Communities deserve decisions driven by data, planning and genuine engagement, not assumptions,” said Portage la Prairie MLA Jeff Bereza, PC Critic for Housing, Addictions and Homelessness. “Health Canada should reject this application until there is a transparent, evidence-based plan that respects the voices of local residents and businesses.”
Given these gaps in evidence, planning, consultation and accountability, PCs support the residents and businesses of Point Douglas/North Logan in calling on Health Canada to reject the proposed Henry Ave. location for this drug consumption site.
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PC Letter
Residents’ Letter
Educators’ Letters
Letters from principals of Victoria Albert School and Dufferin School