THUNDER BAY, ON — In response to a growing need for mental health and addiction support, a federal funding program has seen significant interest from Northwestern Ontario. The Emergency Treatment Fund, announced in 2024, is designed to address the substance use and overdose crisis by providing municipalities and Indigenous communities with federal aid for rapid responses to emergent, critical needs.
The fund, which allocates $150 million over three years, has garnered 37 applications from across the region, highlighting the urgency of addressing these issues in Northwestern Ontario. Health Canada’s website states that the fund aims to provide financial support for initiatives that directly respond to the challenges of substance use and overdose crises.
Approved Funding Projects
As of March 10, 2024, several applications from the region have been approved for funding:
City of Thunder Bay: Nearly $240,000 has been allocated to Thunder Bay for a partnership with NorWest Community Health Centres. The funds will support a range of services for people living in encampments, aiming to provide essential care and support for those in crisis.
Beendigen Inc.: This organization has received nearly $142,000 for its community harm reduction mobile unit. This unit will offer vital resources to individuals dealing with substance use, especially in more remote areas.
Marten Falls First Nation: Over $1.9 million will go toward a mobile response unit that will provide a variety of services to the community, responding directly to local needs related to substance use and mental health issues.
Sustainable Indigenous Solutions in Naotkamegwanning: More than $210,000 will help fund a wheelchair-accessible vehicle that ensures clients with mobility issues can access crucial substance use resources.
Minister’s Visit and Community Impact
On February 28, 2024, Ya’ara Saks, Canada’s federal Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, visited Thunder Bay to announce the funding for the City of Thunder Bay and Beendigen Inc. proposals. The event also spotlighted funding for the Elizabeth Fry Society of Northwestern Ontario, although this funding came from a different federal stream.
Saks acknowledged the significant mental health and addiction challenges in the region, particularly among Indigenous communities, noting: “Families upon families, Indigenous communities in the area, truly have been struggling. We here in Thunder Bay know that more than many other places, because Thunder Bay is really a place where so many come seeking help from other parts of northern Ontario.”
Saks also highlighted that across Canada, over 350 applications were received, with more than 70% coming from Indigenous communities, reflecting the critical demand for these services.
Ongoing Need for Support
The Health Canada spokesperson later confirmed that 37 proposals had been submitted from Northwestern Ontario, with additional projects expected to be announced in the near future. The spokesperson further noted that new recipients will be selected over the 2025 to 2026 fiscal year, following the first call for proposals in October 2024.
Despite the positive response so far, the exact number of applications that have been rejected or are still pending approval has not been disclosed. However, it’s clear that the need for mental health and addiction services in Northwestern Ontario remains high, and the federal government’s ongoing funding initiatives are poised to continue supporting local communities in their efforts to address these pressing issues.
