Ontario to ban drug consumption sites near schools, child-care centres

Ontario is expected to ban supervised drug consumption sites within 200 metres of children and child-care centres, a move that would force the closure of 10 facilities across the province.

A provincial spokesperson confirmed to CBC/Radio-Canada that Health Minister Sylvia Jones will announce the decision Tuesday afternoon when she is set to address the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference in Ottawa.

The spokesperson said the announcement will also concern addiction recovery supports with “new treatment hubs.”

Of the 10 sites that will have to close under the new rules, five are in Toronto while one each are in Ottawa, Kitchener, Thunder Bay, Hamilton and Guelph.

Supervised consumption sites allow people to inject, snort or otherwise take drugs under supervision to reduce the risk of overdose.