ManitobaThe City of Winnipeg is clearing up concerns and confusion over construction permits it recently approved for a location the Manitoba government is considering for a proposed 72-hour detox centre. Wording on permit later changed to ’20 sobering units’ at provincially owned 190 Disraeli Fwy.CBC News · Posted: Oct 21, 2025 10:11 PM EDT | Last Updated: 5 hours agoManitoba Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan raises concerns on Tuesday about the language of a city permit that described the addition of ’20 safe consumption rooms’ at 190 Disraeli Fwy. The city says it was a clerical error and that it has granted a permit for 20 sobering units. (Jeff Stapleton/CBC)The City of Winnipeg is clearing up concerns and confusion over construction permits it recently approved for a location the Manitoba government is considering for a proposed 72-hour detox centre.The provincially-owned building at 190 Disraeli Fwy. was previously eyed for Manitoba’s first supervised consumption site, but the plan was dropped last month after opposition from area residents.One of the approved permits from October, which was issued last Wednesday, described the addition of “20 safe consumption rooms.”It prompted the Manitoba Progressive Conservatives to call out the NDP during a press conference Tuesday afternoon.Before it began, the language on the permit in question changed to “20 sobering units” on the city’s website.PC Leader Obby Khan accused the NDP of misleading Manitobans about their plan for the site and questioned whether it was a mistake.”What is being built at 190 Disraeli?” Khan asked.“How do you possibly mix up a detox centre and a drug consumption space?”This site at 190 Disraeli Fwy. is where the NDP plans to open the ‘protective care centre,’ or detox site, as early as Nov. 1. (Rudi Pawlychyn/CBC)The city later issued a news release, saying it has granted a permit for 20 sobering units at the Disraeli facility, not a supervised consumption site.The city said a contractor made a clerical error when they filed an application for some plumbing work and that the city has since corrected the mistake on its online registry.“The Tories need to stop playing games,” Housing, Addictions and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith said in an emailed statement.She says the NDP government is working to open a sobering centre as soon as possible, provided Bill 48 passes.Smith tabled the Protective Detention and Care of Intoxicated Persons Act on Oct. 2. It would replace the Intoxicated Persons Act, adopted in 1987, as well as the Detoxification Centres Regulation.The new legislation would extend the length of time a detox centre could hold someone found intoxicated on meth or other drugs.After getting support from the city’s police chief and several medical professionals, the bill to triple the detention time — from 24 hours to 72 — received scathing criticism at a public committee meeting last week, with some calling it an abuse of government power and a violation of rights.Others said the plan has been rushed and is not ready.The Manitoba PC critic for housing, addictions and homelessness, MLA Jeff Bereza, echoed some of those concerns at Tuesday’s press conference.Bereza and Khan maintained the Tories support the concept of 72-hour detention for intoxicated people, although they said many details still need to be ironed out, including the bill’s implications for rural areas and what happens to people once they’re released.Smith has said the NDP hopes to open the “protective care centre” on Nov. 1.A bill needs to pass three readings to become law. Smith’s bill passed first and second reading in early October and was then referred to the standing committee for social and economic development for further consideration.With files from Darren Bernhardt, Rosanna Hempel and Bryce Hoye
City blames clerical mistake after Manitoba PCs slam permit issued for ‘safe consumption rooms’
