Millions in EFT from Feds
Terry Sheehan, member of parliament for Sault Ste. Marie—Algoma, has announced more than $11.4 million from the Emergency Treatment Fund (ETF) for eight projects across Ontario, on behalf of the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health.
Through the ETF, the Government of Canada helps municipalities and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities address urgent needs related to the illegal drug crisis. The ETF supports treatment and recovery, as well as prevention and harm reduction services. It funds projects that address immediate needs, as identified by the communities to support local capacity and provide access to culturally-relevant, trauma-informed and evidence-based programs and services.
The funding announced includes over $3.6 million for Maamwesying North Shore Community Health Services, which provides health services to communities throughout the Algoma region. The funding will help to address the fatal risks associated with opioid use disorder while decreasing barriers to care for indigenous communities where these risks are highest, in urban Sault Ste. Marie and in the First Nations along the North Shore of Lake Huron.
This local funding includes over $3.5 million from the ETF recently announced for the City of Sault Ste. Marie’s Outreach and Wellness Response Team, for a dedicated 24/7 community outreach team providing low-barrier access to medical, mental health, addiction, harm reduction, and housing support for vulnerable populations. This bring the funding for the riding of Sault Ste. Marie–Algoma to almost $7.2 million.
Additional funds are also being provided to the cities of Thunder Bay and Orillia, the Kenora Chiefs Advisory Inc., and the Manitoulin Island-based Wiidookaage Waabandan, Wikwemikong Unceded lndian Reserve, and Ngwaagan Gamig Recovery Centre.
QUOTES
“Like the rest of the country, Ontario has experienced much hardship and loss because of the illegal drug crisis. This emergency funding is supporting several organizations, Indigenous communities, and municipalities across our province to address their urgent needs related to substance use and addictions, including life saving measures, treatment, and outreach.”
– Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie—Algoma
“If we want a stronger Canada—one where every community has the chance to thrive—we must confront the illegal drug crisis together. That starts with ensuring communities have the resources they need to support people in ways that reflect their lived realities. The organizations receiving funding today provide a range of urgent, immediate health services, social supports, and cultural programming that save lives in their communities.”
– The Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health
QUICK FACTS
- Budget 2024 provided $150 million over three years for an ETF to support municipalities and Indigenous communities in providing rapid responses to the illegal drug crisis.
- On October 6, 2025, Health Canada launched a call for proposals under the ETF for projects for the 2026/27 fiscal year. New projects selected for funding are set to begin as early as April 2026.
