Over $86M to reduce substance-use harms and prevent overdoses

Canada is facing one of the most serious public health crises in its history – the toxic illegal drug and overdose crisis. That’s why the governments of Quebec and Canada are joining forces to tackle this public health crisis, notably through prevention, harm reduction, treatment and rehabilitation measures.

Today, the Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Federal Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, Lionel Carmant, Quebec Minister Responsible for Social Services, and the Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, announced the Canada-Quebec Contribution Agreement to address substance use and addictions. The agreement provides more than $86.8 million to support Quebec’s efforts to address addiction, the prevention of overdoses and reduce substance-use harms. Federal funding for this agreement comes from Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP) and are being provided to the Government of Quebec without conditions.

More than 96 projects, selected by Quebec, will benefit from the funds being invested. Some of these projects will make additional services available to prevent overdoses and reduce harms associated with substance use, based on the realities and priorities of each of Quebec’s regions. Others will involve setting up research projects to develop new knowledge about substance use and addiction. This funding will therefore support various institutional and community partners working to improve the health of people at risk of overdose or at risk from substance use.

The governments of Quebec and Canada will continue to support community partners and organizations working to save lives and reduce the harms associated with substance use.