ManitobaSome Winnipeg residents say they’re against the proposed location of a new centre where highly intoxicated people could be detained for up to three days, raising concerns also lobbed at now-defunct plans for a safe consumption site in the area.Winnipeg mayor says he supports plan regardless of locationArturo Chang · CBC News · Posted: Oct 10, 2025 8:48 PM EDT | Last Updated: 3 hours agoPremier Wab Kinew told reporters Thursday the province is looking to put the 72-hour detox centre at 190 Disraeli Freeway. Some Point Douglas residents say they’re concerned about the location. (Rudi Pawlychyn/CBC)Some Winnipeg residents say they’re against the proposed location of a new centre where highly intoxicated people could be detained for up to three days, raising concerns also lobbed at now-defunct plans for a safe consumption site in the area.Premier Wab Kinew told reporters Thursday the province is looking to put the 72-hour detox centre at 190 Disraeli Freeway, near an existing 24-hour centre run by Main Street Project.The site would be in the same building in the city’s Point Douglas neighbourhood where the province had planned to establish a supevised consumption site. The location was scrapped last month amid pushback from local residents.Katherine Bitney, a representative of the Point Douglas Residents Association, said in a statement the location is not appropriate. She raised similar concerns about the site being across from a school and a daycare.”No thanks,” Bitney said. “I am baffled as to why the protection and safety and well-being of kids is not the first priority in any such decision. As a longtime resident of [Point Douglas] I am appalled at this choice.”Legislation tripling the time people intoxicated on meth or other drugs can be involuntarily held at a detox centre from the current 24-hour maximum passed first reading Thursday. The NDP government said it will help protect people battling with addictions, and improve public safety.Similar work already done at nearby site: ministerHomelessness and Addictions Minister Bernadette Smith said in a statement Friday the new centre will expand work that’s already been done for years by the Main Street Project site two blocks away.Local business owner Bruce Christian said he’s worried the site could potentially lead to an increase in vandalism and drug use in the area, even if the centre is meant to address those problems.WATCH | Point Douglas residents question location of proposed 72-hour detox centre:Support, more questions greet Manitoba’s detox centre planA planned 72-hour detox centre for highly intoxicated people could go into a space previously eyed for a supervised consumption site. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says there’s an increasing need for it and the province already owns the Disraeli Freeway building, but some Winnipeggers have questions about the government’s plans.”If you just came out of a detox program and you’re feeling good and you go out and you’re offered drugs right away on the streets right out front, obviously that wouldn’t be a good idea,” Christian said. “We want to be part of the solution, But it’s got to be a proper solution,” he said. “Our livelihood, our businesses are depending on people coming down here. And right now they’re not.”City police have spoken in favour of the plan, though advocates have warned supports and monitoring need to be in place to ensure people are safe.”The reality is when we’re choosing locations … we really need to think about its geographical position as it extends to things like the emergency room or hospitals,” Dr. Ginette Poulin, an addictions medicine specialist, said.”Right now, there’s no evidence encampments near an intoxication facility imposes [negative] outcomes.”Centre needed ‘wherever that may be’: MayorWinnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham said Friday he fully supports the idea regardless of location.”I believe we need a site like that in the City of Winnipeg, wherever that may be,” Gillingham told reporters during an unrelated announcement.”When I see the amount of addiction on the street and people struggling in the midst of a meth or opioid crisis … we have to have a place where we can take people that is not an emergency room.”Christian said local residents need to be consulted.It “would go far to sort of make us aware of what’s going on, get us ready for it,” he said. “If we can help in any way that would be great. But just for stuff to happen and then we see the result of it after the fact, it’s not good.”Smith said the centre is being developed with feedback from police, medical professionals and community partners.”These protective medical services are a lifeline for people,” she said.With files from Gavin Axelrod and Meaghan Ketcheson
‘No thanks’: Point Douglas residents question location of proposed 72-hour detox centre
