Sault addictions group wants funding for overdose crisis, not downtown plaza
A group of community advocates plan to gather outside Sault Ste. Marie city hall to demand action on the continuing overdose crisis in the city.
They are specifically taking issue with the city's plans for a new downtown plaza.
While they are aware municipalities do not have jurisdiction over healthcare, members of Addictions and Mental Health Advocates said they want city council to secure more money from the province to deal with the overdose crisis -- rather than the downtown plaza.
"We have seen so much about this big plaza that our city fathers are trying to raise money for, and we think it's time that they advocate for our city's issues with addiction and mental health," said group founder Donna DeSimon. "We're on the frontlines all the time. We are seeing so many deaths."
DeSimon said many of the community members they serve are feeling left out on account of the plaza development.
However, Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Christian Provenzano said the city continues to fight for funding to solve the overdose problem.
"One doesn't take away from the other," said Provenzano. "Us doing the plaza project does not diminish the effort we're putting into trying to get more resources in our community to deal with the mental health and addiction crisis. I understand why people might perceive it that way, it's just not actually the case."
However, Provenzano said he feels some measure of responsibility for not securing more healthcare dollars.
"I take personal responsibility for the fact that as a municipality, we have not been able to get the funds we need to provide the care our community needs," he said. "I own that. I'm partly responsible for that. And I'll continue to work until the end of my term to do that."
The provincial government has committed $3.8 billion over 10 years to address gaps in addiction services. DeSimon said action is needed now.
"We don't have 10 years," she said. "We're wiping out a generation already. The 21 to 44 ... we're wiping it out. There goes our future ... Sad to say."
DeSimon said other grassroots organizations will be joining Addictions and Mental Health Advocates at city hall Oct. 25, with the demonstration set to begin before city council meets that afternoon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
LIVE @ 1:15 PT B.C. premier to give announcement related to public drug use
B.C.'s premier is scheduled to give an update Friday about public drug use in the province.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.