Statement on the province’s decision to withdraw funding for CTS sites
Joint statement from Archipel, Ottawa and Ottawa West Four Rivers Ontario Health Teams
Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) work collaboratively with health and social service providers, primary
care and community members to deliver equitable, accessible, integrated, patient-centred care
that improves health outcomes of Ontarians. Grounded in a population health approach, OHTs
focus on underserved and equity deserving populations, and work to ensure timely access to high
quality care in both official languages.
The Archipel, Ottawa and Ottawa West Four Rivers OHTs are deeply concerned by the Ministry of
Health’s decision to withdraw funding for Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) across
Ontario, including the two Ottawa sites operated by Sandy Hill Community Health Centre and
Ottawa Inner City Health. These sites provide essential, life-saving services and have been a critical
part of our region’s response to the toxic drug crisis. Frontline health and community care workers
at these organizations have prevented overdoses, reduced public health and safety risks,
connected people to housing and treatment, and saved countless lives.
With two HART hubs located within our collective geography, we recognize and appreciate the
government’s investment in recovery and treatment services. However, HART Hubs cannot replace
the immediate, life-saving role of CTS sites. They were designed to function as complementary
components within a comprehensive continuum of care that includes supervised consumption.
CTS are a critical part of the rehabilitation continuum - without them, many individuals never reach
treatment.
Supervised consumption and treatment services are evidence-based interventions that reduce
preventable overdose deaths, ease pressure on emergency departments and acute health services,
and connect people to vital supports that help stabilize health and support recovery. The abrupt
withdrawal of funding raises serious concerns about the immediate and long-term impacts on
individuals who rely on these services, as well as the broader health and social service systems,
which will face increased strain from preventable overdoses, emergency responses, and
hospitalizations.
We urge the Province to reconsider this decision and to engage meaningfully with community
partners, health care clinicians, and people with lived and living expertise to ensure that care
models are evidence-informed and responsive to community needs. As Ontario Health Teams, we
remain committed to advancing client-centred, trauma-informed, harm-reduction approaches that
protect dignity, safety, and wellbeing, and strengthen the health of our communities.
Michelle Hurtubise,
Co-Chair, Collaborative
Leadership Group,
Ottawa OHT
Sylvie Lefebvre,
Co-Chair, Executive
Committee,
Archipel OHT
Martine Whissel,
Co-Chair, Executive
Committee,
Archipel OHT
Leigh Couture,
Co-Chair, Leadership Committee,
Ottawa West Four Rivers OHT
