Trudeau government plans to increase number of safe injection sites

The government's Department of Health stated that they would "develop new regulations under the Act with respect to supervised consumption sites and services."

This, according to government officials, would "reduce [the] regulatory burden," provide more certain care to it's patients, and will ensure this program's continuity, according to Blacklock's Reporter.

Safe injection sites have long been controversial in Canada. Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Alberta Premier Jason Kenney have been lukewarm towards this program: Ford issued moratorium on new sites, and Kenney pulled funding for a new site in Lethbridge.

"For too long public health policy on addictions has been monopolized on a single-minded approach and that involved in part setting up drug consumption sites that are at best about managing addiction rather than treating it," said the Alberta premier.

Premier Ford also cut injection sites, pointing to disgruntled residents as proof of their damage. "I don't believe in safe-injection areas, as I call them. I believe in supporting people, getting them help," said Ford.

"I ask anyone out there, if your son, daughter or loved one ever had an addiction, would you want them to go in a little area and do more drugs? I'm dead against that," he added.

The Health Department has opened 38 safe injection sites since a supreme court ruling in 2011. These sites are spread across Canada's cities. Toronto has the most sites with nine individual facilities.