Home / Health / Sask. Safe Site Shut Down by Health Canada
Sask. Safe Site Shut Down by Health Canada
30 Mar
Summary
- Health Canada suspended the exemption for Saskatoon's only safe consumption site.
- Prairie Harm Reduction cited financial difficulties and leadership changes.
- The site is closed but drop-in programs and other services remain open.
The only supervised safe consumption site in Saskatchewan's largest city is currently not operating. Health Canada suspended the exemption for the Prairie Harm Reduction (PHR) site on Thursday, leading to its immediate closure.
This suspension follows the recent discovery of a significant financial shortfall at the Saskatoon-based non-profit. The organization's board had previously announced the termination of its executive director, Kayla DeMong, citing management shortcomings but not fraud.
Prairie Harm Reduction stated that the suspension was "unfortunate, but not unexpected," as Health Canada regularly monitors such sites. The organization is working with external financial experts to review its financial reporting and status, with a preliminary report anticipated in early April.
Emmanuelle (Em) Morin has been appointed as a transitional support specialist to oversee daily operations. PHR is actively engaging with Health Canada to provide requested information and aims to have the suspension rescinded, reaffirming its commitment to meeting regulatory requirements.
