Publications

Supervised consumption sites are not a standalone solution to the overdose crisis or the challenges associated with substance use — but they are a critical and irreplaceable component of a comprehensive, evidence based system of care. The evidence is unambiguous: SCS reduce fatal overdoses, prevent disease transmission, connect clients to treatment, and serve as anchors … Read more

The HIV Legal Network and HALCO strongly oppose the Measures Respecting Premises with Illegal Drug Activity Act, 2025 (MRPIDAA), which risks further destabilizing access to housing and deepening the harms experienced by people who use drugs. By introducing new provincial offences that will expose landlords to significant penalties where they are found to have “knowingly … Read more

In this submission, the HIV Legal Network and HALCO urge the Ontario government to repeal the Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act and reject new proposals to extend coercive arrest and enforcement authority to transit constables.

This letter – co-signed by the HIV Legal Network and other organizations that work directly with or advocate for the rights-respecting treatment of people in federal custody – shares serious concerns about the impacts of the October 1, 2025 changes to Correctional Services Canada’s Opioid Agonist Treatment policy, including the delisting of Suboxone and the … Read more

The HIV Legal Network made this submission to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Committee (“Committee”) in advance of its review of Canada’s periodic report, detailing our concerns about Canada’s implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). This submission provides information on violations of Articles 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, and … Read more

Sign the letter here. 15 December 2025 Via email Anne Kelly, Commissioner, Correctional Service Canada (CSC) Marie Doyle, Assistant Commissioner, Health Services, CSC cc: Bassem Guirguis, National Pharmacist, CSC; Darcy Stoneadge, Director, Health Policy and Programs, CSC; Dr. Asim Masood, Chief Medical Office of Health, CSC; Dr. Guy Hébert, National Physician Lead, CSC; Dr. Nader … Read more

We hope you’ll read our 2024-25 annual report — Securing Rights: Using Our Values to Meet the Moment — to find out more about the kind of positive change we’re making and get a glimpse of what we hope to accomplish in 2026.

November 4, 2025 Dear Minister Jones: cc: Premier Ford Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Vijay Thanigasalam Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health Ontario Medical Officers of Health, Ontario Public Health Ontario Ontario Public Health Association Public Health Agency of Canada Association of Local Public Health Agencies We are writing to demand that … Read more

It’s Not So Simple: The impact of simple drug possession and trafficking offences on health equity builds on research demonstrating the many harms resulting from laws and policies that punish people who use drugs by specifically examining the consequences of recent shifts in how police and prosecutors pursue and lay drug possession and trafficking charges. … Read more

Find out about the legal implications of operating an Overdose Prevention Site in Ontario and protections for operators and patrons. Supervised Consumption Sites (SCS) and Overdose Prevention Sites (OPS) are proven to save lives. In Ontario, 6-7 people die each day from toxic, unregulated drugs. Yet, as of 2025, Ontario has closed various kinds of consumption … Read more