Manitoba’s Progressive Conservatives are condemning the NDP government’s community consultation process for a proposed illegal drug supervised consumption site in Winnipeg’s Point Douglas neighbourhood, calling it a “sham” and urging residents to bypass the province to share safety concerns directly with the PC Party.
Housing, Addictions, Homelessness, and Mental Health Critic Carrie Hiebert (Morden-Winkler) asked that Manitobans can now email feedback about the project, with promises to bring their complaints to the Manitoba Legislature when it sits again in March.
The move follows two contentious public meetings last week, where residents said their fears about crime, children’s safety, and lack of transparency were dismissed by Manitoba NDP officials.
“Why are the NDP asking for community input if their minds are already made up?” said Hiebert.
“These meetings were a sham. Residents weren’t being listened to, their questions about kids safety were brushed off, and the minister downplayed fears about increased violence.”
The proposed site, which would operate under Health Canada’s supervised consumption service framework, is to be located across from a high school and near a daycare in Point Douglas, a key detail that has fueled backlash against the proposed site.
At the public meetings, NDP Addictions Minister Bernadette Smith faced criticism for emphasizing the benefits of these facilities without addressing plans for potential risks like drug trafficking or needles in public spaces.
Hiebert accused the NDP of prioritizing the injection site over expanding addiction treatment resources, noting the government has “spent more time and money on this project than opening new detox beds or hiring medical staff.”
Hiebert argued the consultations, required under federal application rules, were merely a “box-checking exercise” to fast-track approval.
Under federal guidelines, provinces must demonstrate community engagement before Ottawa greenlights supervised consumption sites.
Residents claim the NDP’s process has been one-sided, with Minister Smith accused of “lecturing” the residents on harm reduction rather than soliciting feedback.
“The minister’s only interest is opening this site, whether the community agrees or not,” said Hiebert.
The Manitoba NDP has not yet publicly responded to the allegations.
The PCs email initiative will collect concerns until mid-March, when the Legislature resumes.
Point Douglas residents and advocacy groups remain divided.
Proponents argue such sites save lives by preventing overdoses and connecting users to care, while opponents fear localized crime spikes.
Similar debates have happened across Canada.
For now, the PCs urge Manitobans to “make their voices heard” through concerned4wpg@leg.gov.mb.ca.