There is a need for safe consumption sites in Manitoba

On Wednesday May 25th, in Question Period, I asked why the government is pursuing a low quality, high cost approach to addictions.

Safe Consumption Site
Request for Facility

Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Deputy Speaker, the failure of the government to engage in harm reduction and establish safe consumption sites to decrease the use of unsafe needles for drug injection is leading to harm and to extra costs and other demands on our health-care system.

For example, a person who gets endocarditis from using an unsafe needle may end up in hospital for months. Establishing a safe consumption site saves dollars.

Liberals are so concerned about the government operating a low-quality, high-cost health-care system that we've asked the Auditor General to audit the extra costs from the government's failure to provide a safe consumption site or sites in Manitoba, as I table.

Will the government support our request to the Auditor General?

Hon. Sarah Guillemard (Minister of Mental Health and Community Wellness): It really is unfortunate that, for decades, the mental health field and harm reduction strategies were ignored. Our government is committed to actually addressing the issues at hand.

I'd be happy, again, to sit down with the member opposite and have a further discussion. We are investing in harm reduction strategies here in Manitoba. We are enhancing core services that have been neglected and underfunded for decades.

And, Mr. Deputy Speaker, we are going to give hope to Manitobans–[interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

Mrs. Guillemard: –where it was lacking in the previous NDP government.

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