Quebec addiction centres at risk of shutting down over government payment delays [Video]

Residential addiction centres in Quebec say they feel left behind by the province. They say the provincial government is late depositing their grants by more than two weeks — for the second time this year — leaving them uncertain about their future.

Toxico-Stop is one of those residential addiction centres and says it had to suspend services at one of its two locations. That means there are 17 fewer beds for those who need them, and five employees were laid off.

The residential treatment centre helps people struggling with substance abuse get back on their feet. General manager Joe Marsillo says that the province slashed Toxico-Stop’s funding by about 25 per cent back in April, and now its quarterly funding payment is again late.

“No advance notice, you know, and for an organization like us, it’s the same as telling your employee your paycheck’s going to be late,” says Marsillo.

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