Province to open supervised consumption site next month
Posted May 21, 2026 8:29 pm.
More clarity on a long-awaited supervised consumption site in Winnipeg was revealed during a surprise announcement on Thursday. Manitoba’s premier says that the site here at 366 Henry Avenue will officially open next month.
“We’re doing the harm reduction, the supervised consumption site opening next month,” said Premier Kinew.
The opening will be a temporary site until a permanent spot becomes available at the site. The province says Aboriginal Health and Wellness will run the site, and they are currently hiring.
“Some staff have been hired, so the director has been hired; they’re interviewing some peer mentors right now and clinical staff, and then once they’re hired and trained up, that’s when the site will open. The site has already been fitted for what’s going to be there, and you know we’re eager to get this open because people need the supports,” explained Bernadette Smith, the Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness.
Back in March, the province backed away from a timeline, emphasising the need to do it properly, not quickly.
With the news coming to light, Mayor Scott Gillingham says his concern is about the safety of the surrounding community.
“One of the things that I’ve expressed, and I appreciate Minister Smith has heard me on this, as has the premier, to make sure that safety i the surrounding area is prioritized, I know there’s been a lot of dialogue between the province and chief bowers and the Winnipeg police service as well. There needs to be coordination, you see coordination here, regarding the supervised consumption site, there needs to be good coordination, i know there’s been a lot of good dialogue,” said Mayor Gillingham.
Kelly Miranda, manager at the neighbouring Pampanga Restaurant, says she’s concerned about the impacts on the business. She says recently a meeting was held by Aboriginal Health and Wellness, where businesses were assured that the area would be patrolled regularly, and she hopes that comes to fruition.
“Stunned, shocked, I wish the government would have given us more notice,” said Miranda. “The chief of police was there too, so they’re saying just call 9-1-1, document everything, we’ll try to get there as soon as possible, so that’s what I’ll be looking for, is how they’ll be monitoring, keeping the businesses, the residents, the community, and the people around here using the site, keeping them safe.”
The province didn’t give an exact date for when the site will be open next month.
