Manitoba sees encouraging downward trend relating to substance-related deaths since 2022
Posted April 1, 2026 6:12 pm.
Last Updated April 2, 2026 11:46 am.
As Canada continues to combat ongoing issues with substance abuse, Manitoba has seen an encouraging trend with the province reporting a significant drop in substance-related deaths since 2022.
“I’m happy and grateful that the numbers are going down, but I do want to emphasize that they are still at an unacceptable level. We are in the midst of a public health crisis that is not being acknowledged. Like 400 people, 500 people, 200 people, it’s too many people,” said Tammy Taillieu, the Manitoba director of Moms Stop the Harm.
Excluding the month of December, which has yet to be reported, the government has indicated that 354 people suffered from substance-related deaths in 2025, which is a massive decline from the reported 570 deaths in 2024, 568 in 2023, and 459 in 2022.
Taillieu says the numbers don’t paint the full picture.
“I think it is important to note that December hasn’t been added to the total. And that the numbers are very preliminary. So I know from last year, whatever was reported in newspapers initially, changed quite substantially,” said Taillieu.
“We’re absolutely encouraged, but we also know that these are someone’s loved ones, right? And we can’t stop putting our foot on that pedal in terms of making sure we’re meeting where they’re at. Making sure we’re putting investments into the system and ensuring we’re taking a balanced approach,” said Bernadette Smith, minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness.
Minister Smith emphasized the importance of housing in this trend.
“We’re investing in housing and ensuring we’re providing wraparound supports so if people are struggling with substance use, they are getting support in their housing,” said Minister Smith.
With the number of deaths declining, Minister Smith acknowledged those who are making it possible.
“We’re seeing that trend across the country, but I think it’s in relation to the work that a lot of front-line organizations are doing. They’re meeting people where they’re at. They’re supporting them. We’ve distributed 63,000 naloxone kits right across the province at 333 sites here in 2025. These organizations are doing incredibly heavy lifting,” said Minister Smith.
In a statement to CityNews, the Main Street project said, “We are grateful to see that the number of substance-related deaths is starting to come down, but even with this progress, the loss of life we see each month remains deeply concerning. Losing even one person is disheartening; every life lost is a member of our community, someone’s child, brother, sister, or other family member, and is a reminder of the urgent need for expanded harm reduction supports.”
