An Ontario court will hear arguments Monday from a Toronto supervised consumption site challenging the legality of a new provincial law.
A Toronto supervised consumption site is challenging a new Ontario law set to close 10 sites by April 1, arguing it violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Constitution, including the right to life, liberty, and security. The lawsuit, launched by The Neighbourhood Group and two users, claims the law, which bans sites within 200 metres of schools and daycares, will increase deaths and harm by forcing users to unsafe consumption practices and that the legislation goes against the division of powers between Ottawa and provinces. The province plans to convert nine of the sites into homelessness and addiction recovery treatment hubs, while harm reduction workers warn of increased overdoses and deaths.
