ManitobaThe clock is ticking on a bill that would expand how long highly intoxicated people can be detained in Manitoba after the governing New Democrats and Opposition Tories failed to get deep enough into debate to vote on proposed amendments Wednesday.Parties fail to vote on PC-proposed amendments; NDP still hoping to pass legislation, open centre by Nov. 1Bryce Hoye · CBC News · Posted: Oct 29, 2025 1:37 PM EDT | Last Updated: 7 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 5 minutes A building at 190 Disraeli Fwy. is being eyed by the Manitoba NDP as a site for a ‘protective care centre.’ The centre, if NDP legislation passes, would be a site where heavily intoxicated people could be detained for up to 72 hours. (Rudi Pawlychyn/CBC)The clock is ticking on a bill that would expand how long highly intoxicated people can be detained in Manitoba after the governing New Democrats and Opposition Tories failed to get deep enough into debate to vote on proposed amendments Wednesday.Bill 48, The Protective Detention and Care of Intoxicated Persons Act, passed first and second reading this month with Progressive Conservative support, but amendments tabled by the Opposition week may threaten the NDP’s hope of passing legislation and opening the province’s first 72-hour detox centre by this weekend.”It’s prudent for us as elected officials that we represent all Manitobans and we make sure that we get this right,” Jeff Bereza, addictions critic for the Progressive Conservatives, said Wednesday. “I am not sure what the rush is.”Bernadette Smith takes questions about Bill 48 after question period at the legislature Wednesday. She still hopes to pass legislation in the coming days and open the planned protective care centre at 1290 Disraeli Fwy. this weekend. (Bryce Hoye/CBC)Addictions Minister Bernadette Smith (Point Douglas) introduced the legislation at the beginning of the fall sitting earlier this month. It would replace existing legislation governing detention of intoxicated persons with a new law that expands how long someone can be held, from 24 hours to 72 hours.The NDP wants to open the facility at 190 Disraeli Fwy. as soon as Nov. 1, and Smith said that remains the plan. A vote on amendments and the bill itself would have to happen in the next 48 hours for that to happen.Bereza (Portage la Prairie) introduced the amendments Tuesday, which would include a restriction on operating a protective care centre within 500 metres of an overdose prevention or supervised consumption site, a school or a child-care centre.WATCH | NDP, PCs trade barbs over possible detox law amendments:New detox bill drags on as NDP, PCs fail to vote on amendmentsManitoba’s NDP government and the Opposition Progressive Conservatives failed to get deep enough into debate on Wednesday to hold a vote on amendments proposed by the Tories to legislation that would extend how long highly intoxicated people can be detained.Smith said that particular amendment is worded in a way that suggests an existing 24-hour detox centre within the buffer zone would have to shut down.”Essentially, the amendments would close down Main Street Project, which has been running for decades,” and is a short distance from 190 Disraeli, Smith said Wednesday. “This is about getting people to the resources they need and providing safety and security to the community.”Bereza said the proposed restrictions “are only on new protective care centres.” Jeff Bereza (Portage la Prairie), addictions critic for the Progressive Conservatives, speaks during question period Wednesday. (Bryce Hoye/CBC)The NDP say the proposed legislation would modernize the approach to dealing with people in the grips of addiction, particularly those in the midst of meth-induced psychosis who may need more than 24 hours to sober up.They would be seen by medical professionals and monitored at the Disraeli Freeway detox site, which would become the responsibility of the Main Street Project to run.Those detained would receive supports and be connected to resources, according to Smith.Nearly three dozen speakers spoke for and against the protective care centre and accompanying legislative changes last week at a committee meeting that ran well into the evening. The bill has received support from Winnipeg’s police chief and some doctors who believe it could relieve some strain on the police and hospitals presently tasked with detaining, monitoring and treating those who may pose a danger to themselves or others due to meth or other drug intoxication.It’s also been panned by some community groups that argue the legislation may further stigmatize and criminalize drug use.Mark Wasyliw, Independent MLA for Fort Garry, said Wednesday the new detox site may infringe upon the rights of people detained there. (Bryce Hoye/CBC)On Wednesday, Independent MLA Mark Wasyliw argued detaining someone for 72 hours may infringe upon the rights of people who haven’t been formally charged with a crime.”This premier, in Bill 48, is proposing to treat people who haven’t committed a crime worse than they treat our inmates,” Wasyliw, a lawyer and former member of the NDP caucus, said during question period. “In Canada, you can’t force someone to get treatment when they don’t consent.”Premier Wab Kinew suggested constitutional rights are subject to reasonable limits.”The alternative to Bill 48 is to have someone high on meth swinging a machete or swinging their fists in front of grandma, or in front of a toddler on their way home from daycare,” Kinew said. “Let’s take action to stamp out meth addiction in this province.”Premier Wab Kinew speaks during question period on Wednesday. (Bryce Hoye/CBC)Among the PC amendments is an ask for more public consultation and a detailed annual report on who is detained at the protective care centre on Disraeli.The Tories also don’t want an overdose prevention site, like the one operated by Sunshine House, which obtained a federal exemption to run in 2022, to be allowed to operate within 500 metres of the Disraeli site.
Manitoba detox centre debate drags on amid Tory push for amendments
