In this newsletter, I’d originally planned to share good news – that through support of clients, staff, volunteers, and partners, KCHC finalized its 2026-2028 strategic plan. I’m immensely proud of the work we did to set a roadmap to grow as a community that is connected, resilient, and inclusive of all people.
However, recent news has made it important to pause and acknowledge the moment we find ourselves in. We learned that funding for newcomer supports and settlement services will be significantly reduced. We have also seen recent public reporting and municipal discussion indicating that provincially funded Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) sites across Ontario are expected to wind down.
While we were included in the meeting where provincial funding cuts to CTS sites were announced on Friday, March 13th, we have not yet received formal notice from the Ministry regarding any changes to current funding. We don’t yet know specific timelines as they relate to our CTS site, but under the terms and conditions of our Transfer Payment Agreement, there is a formal notice period of a minimum of thirty days. As such, we are planning for a variety of service change possibilities, in consultation and collaboration with our funders and partners to clarify expectations and explore opportunities to maintain critical funding and supports for our community.
This has obviously been very difficult news to process, and an emotional time for staff, clients, and partners. I fear that the impacts of these decisions will be felt in our community for a long time. In moments like this, it is important to remember what brings us together. Health care should never be something that divides communities. While people may hold different perspectives on complex issues, we all share the same goal: healthier communities where people are supported when they need help.
We were also deeply heartened to see the delegations that spoke at City Council, and the strong voices who spoke to the importance of this work. The motions brought forward reflect a shared commitment to ensuring that people in our community continue to have access to care, support, and life-saving services.
CTSs are health programs designed to connect people to care. Staffed by nurses, health professionals, and peer workers, these sites provide supervised environments where healthcare staff can respond to overdoses immediately. They also offer drug checking, basic health care, and connections to primary care, treatment programs, housing supports, and mental health services.
The evidence supporting CTS is strong. In Kingston alone, the CTS site has reversed more than 2,000 overdoses since the ICH opened in 2022, providing life-saving care when seconds mattered most. Countless more deaths were prevented through education, support, and connection. Each crisis managed on site eliminates the need for an ambulance or emergency room visit.
But people aren’t statistics. Each person who visits the CTS has a story. A family. A history. Over the last 18 months, I’ve met many people whose story and future was forever changed through supports provided through CTS. For many, CTS offers hope, connection and a real path forward to recovery. Harm reduction and recovery services are not binary options – it’s not one or the other. They are both desperately needed on a continuum of care that Kingston and the province need to respond to the drug crisis.
Our focus has so far been on supporting the people most directly affected by this news. We’ve been working to ensure that both our team members and the clients who rely on these services are supported through any upcoming changes.
Moving forward, I encourage us all to ask questions to better understand and appreciate all perspectives on complex issues. KCHC strives to build, and be part of, a community that looks after its neighbours. No matter what the challenges might lie ahead, I look forward to continuing this important work together.
Ben