The Alberta government under Premier Danielle Smith has delivered a definitive answer regarding the future of supervised drug consumption services in Calgary: there will be no new sites. This announcement comes as the province's only such facility in the city, located at the Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre, is poised to shut its doors this coming spring.
Minister Delivers a Firm "No" to Replacement Sites
Rick Wilson, the province's Minister of Mental Health and Addiction and Premier Smith's point person on the file, is set to outline the government's forward-looking plans in mid-January. When directly questioned on whether the United Conservative Party (UCP) government would consider establishing a new supervised consumption site in Calgary—potentially outside the Beltline neighborhood where the Chumir site operates—Wilson's response was unequivocal.
"That would be a big No," stated Minister Wilson. He elaborated on the government's perspective, arguing that such sites enable addiction rather than address its root causes. "These people are addicts. These people are hurting. To enable them, to allow them to just carry on, we’re not helping people by doing that," he said. "I’m here to help people and get them started on their road to recovery."
Spring Closure and a Shift Toward Recovery
The closure of the Chumir supervised consumption site is widely anticipated to occur in the spring of 2025, coinciding with the seasonal thaw. Wilson expressed that the "ultimate goal" would be to see all such drug consumption sites in Alberta eventually closed, making way for a system centered on treatment and recovery.
The Minister spoke with passion about this alternative approach, highlighting the opening of new addiction recovery communities across the province. He envisions a path where individuals can become contributing members of society. "Working like everyone else. Contributing. Not just being a taker," Wilson emphasized, noting that many of his own staff are successfully in recovery.
Personal Connection and Public Demand for Help
Wilson, who has been open about his personal struggles and celebrated 27 years of sobriety as of Boxing Day 2024, framed the addiction crisis as a pervasive issue touching countless families. He described being frequently approached by citizens desperate for assistance. "Everywhere I go... people are lined up to see me," he shared. "Can you help me with my son? Can you help me with my daughter?... It’s everywhere. We’ve got to get on it. We’ve got to really make a difference out there."
This policy direction marks a significant shift in Alberta's strategy for addressing the complex issues of addiction and public health, moving away from harm reduction services in Calgary and doubling down on a recovery-oriented model of care.
