ONTARIO TAKING ACTION TO PROTECT LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND BREAK THE CYCLE OF
ADDICTION
Province ending funding for all drug injection sites in communities with a HART
Hub
March 16, 2026
Ministry of HealthTORONTO — As part of the government’s plan to protect families and communities,
the province is ending provincial funding for the seven active drug injection
sites that exist in communities that are supported by an existing Homelessness
and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub. To date, the province has invested
almost $550 million to support 28 HART Hubs across Ontario. This latest step
responds directly to local concerns over public safety associated with these
sites and furthers the government’s plan to fund treatment and lasting recovery
from addiction, rather than continued public funding of drug injection sites.
“Our government is focused on treatment, recovery and safer communities,” said
Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Through our almost $550
million investment to establish HART Hubs across the province, we are ensuring
people struggling with addiction can access the care and supports they need to
break the tragic cycle of addiction and rebuild their lives while protecting
Ontario communities.”
To begin the process, the province will initiate a 90-day wind-down period, 60
days more than is required, in order to give clients time to transition to the
support provided by their local HART Hub. The seven sites which will no longer
receive funding include two sites in Toronto, two sites in Ottawa and one site
each in Niagara, Peterborough and London. During this period the government will
work directly with the municipalities and community partners to ensure a safe,
coordinated wind-down of provincial funding for the drug injection sites and
successful transition into the new model of recovery.
This action builds on legislation passed in 2024 that prohibitsinjection sites from operating within 200 metres of schools, and child-care
centres. The government remains clear that the focus must be on treatment,
recovery and safer communities. To date, HART Hubs have delivered care through
more than 100,000 client interactions, connecting people to treatment and
support. Hundreds of individuals have also accessed supportive housing and
recovery-focused services that help people stabilize their lives and begin the
path to recovery.
Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Careand building on the Roadmap to Wellness,
the province is connecting individuals to integrated mental health and
addictions services, where and when they need it.
QUICK FACTS
* The Community Care and Recovery Act, 2024
was passed in December 2024 and establishes a 200-metre restriction on drug
injection sites from operating near schools, child-care centres and other
designated premises, while requiring provincial approval before
municipalities can seek federal exemptions or funding for supervised
consumption or safer supply services.
* The Safer Municipalities Act, 2025 was passed in June 2025 and includes new
measures that prohibit the public consumption of illegal substances and
provide police and provincial offences officers with enforcement tools,
including the ability to direct individuals to stop consuming illegal
substances in public spaces or leave the area, with noncompliance
constituting an offence.
* In March 2025, the government announced
an investment of almost $550 million to open a total of 28 HART Hubs across
the province. To date, 27 of these 28 Hubs are operational delivering
recovery-focused care and supports in communities across the province.
* HART Hubs will add close to 900 supportive housing units across Ontario,
helping people stabilize their lives and transition to long-term housing.
* Through the Roadmap to Wellness
,
Ontario is investing $3.8 billion over 10 years to close gaps in mental
health and addictions care and build a world-class system. This investment is
helping create new services and expand programs across the province.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
* Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hubs (HART Hubs) locations
* Ontario Approves Transition of Nine Drug Injection Sites into Treatment Hubs
| Ontario Newsroom
* Ontario Protecting Communities and Supporting Addiction Recovery with New
Treatment Hubs | Ontario Newsroom
* Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care
* Roadmap to Wellness: A Plan to Build Ontario’s Mental Health and Addictions
System
* Find out how you can access mental health support
