Ontario moves to ban safe consumption sites near schools, limit new locations [Video]

The Ford government is introducing strict new rules for supervised drug consumption sites, including banning them within 200 metres of schools and child-care centres — a move that will force several existing sites to shut down permanently.

During a speech at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s annual conference in Ottawa, Minister of Health Sylvia Jones announced measures that will also stop local governments from requesting new sites via the federal government and a new stream of funding for addiction recovery.

“Communities, parents and families across Ontario have made it clear that the presence of consumption sites near schools and daycares is leading to serious safety problems,” Jones said.

“We need to do more to protect public safety, especially for young school children, while helping people get the treatment they need, which is why we’re taking the next step to expand access to a broad range of treatment and recovery services, while keeping …