Quebec Liberals want to ban supervised injection sites near schools, daycares
“Many of you have written to us to ask for legislation to ensure that supervised drug consumption centres are not set up near schools and daycares,” wrote Rizqy on the X platform.
The Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) has proposed a bill to prohibit supervised drug consumption sites from operating within 150 meters of schools and daycares in Montreal, and 250 meters elsewhere in the province. This initiative follows concerns raised by residents about the proximity of such facilities to educational institutions and childcare centers.
Liberal Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Marwah Rizqy introduced Bill 892 on Wednesday in response to issues surrounding Maison Benoit Labre, a supervised consumption site located near an elementary school in Montreal's St-Henri neighborhood. Since the center opened in April, residents have reported numerous incidents, including theft, violence, public drug use, nudity, and public defecation.
"Many of you have reached out to request legislation ensuring that supervised drug consumption centers are not established near schools and daycares," Rizqy stated on social media. She also criticized the provincial government for its delayed response, recalling that she had challenged Premier François Legault on this issue a year ago.
"Last September, Premier Legault finally acknowledged that we cannot ask children to live alongside intoxicated individuals," she added. Rizqy urged the government to adopt her proposal, stating, "The parliamentary session is ending. The PLQ is offering this bill to the government. You can even erase my name; the important thing is to legislate promptly."
The proposed legislation would give supervised consumption sites two years to comply with the new distance restrictions. However, opposition bills rarely advance without government support.
Lionel Carmant, the minister responsible for Social Services, acknowledged the concerns and revealed that the government is drafting its own legislation, expected to be presented in spring 2025. "We are working on this with the legal affairs department," Carmant said, emphasizing the need to balance distance regulations with improved access to care for people struggling with addiction. "We will review what was presented, but we aim for a broader approach."
Ontario recently enacted similar restrictions, banning supervised drug consumption sites within 200 meters of schools and daycares. The Ontario government cited statistics from 2023 showing that neighborhoods near such facilities in Toronto experienced 113% higher assault rates and 97% higher robbery rates compared to the rest of the city.
The debate continues as policymakers weigh the need for public safety against the accessibility of harm reduction services for individuals with substance use disorders.
