Province giving $1M for overdose response team, shelter staff training

The exterior of the Manitoba Legislature is seen in Winnipeg on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

New funding from the Manitoba government is taking aim at the province’s toxic drug crisis.

Housing, Addictions and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith announced the $1 million pledge on Tuesday, saying the money will go towards front-line staff training and the creation of a mobile paramedic team in downtown Winnipeg.

Smith explained the funding is in response to increased overdoses in Winnipeg and the extra pressure on community partners and emergency services.

“Every day, front-line workers, outreach teams, shelter staff and community organizations are stepping up to support people experiencing the impacts of the toxic drug crisis,” the minister said in a news release.

“These investments recognize the critical role they play in our communities and will help ensure they have the tools, training and support needed to respond when lives are at risk.”

The $1 million includes $802,000 for the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service for the establishment of a pilot mobile overdose response team for the city’s downtown area. The province is also giving $150,000 to Main Street Project to manage the supply and distribution of 20 oxygen delivery devices and $100,000 in shared funding to St. John’s Ambulance and the Manitoba Harm Reduction Network for first aid and overdose response training for front-line community partners.

The province noted that the three-month pilot project with the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, which begins this month, will deploy a two-person paramedic team who will be available 24/7 to respond to overdoses in high-need areas.

Gillingham reacts

In a statement, Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham said that he’s been consistent in his advocacy for an increase to Winnipeg’s complement of ambulances and paramedics.

He added that the city will work with the province to provide additional ambulance coverage near high-need areas, noting that he supports the idea of getting medical care to vulnerable people as quickly as possible.

“However, this initiative must protect emergency coverage across the whole city,” the statement said.

“Any dedicated service unit can and will only be staffed after regular city-wide ambulance shifts are fully covered.”

Gillingham goes to describe the city’s paramedic staffing shortages as “acute.”

He said Winnipeg’s toxic drug crisis is placing severe pressure on front-line responders, adding that many paramedics are facing burnout. The mayor explained that when ambulance units are unavailable, the work falls to firefighters, which could potentially delay their availability to respond to other emergencies.

“Winnipeg needs both a strong response to the overdose crisis and reliable ambulance coverage in every neighbourhood,” he said.

“The city will do its part, but temporary funding for overtime hours cannot replace the permanent paramedics and ambulances our emergency response system needs.”