Overview
- Premier Danielle Smith confirmed the Sheldon Chumir supervised consumption site will be shut down, though no closure date has been provided.
- The government cites community harm and plans to focus on recovery pathways, noting its earlier closure of the Royal Alexandra site in Edmonton.
- Smith said the province had sought a supportive motion from Calgary council but will proceed without it if necessary.
- Calgary’s mayor, Jeromy Farkas, said the city wants details on timing and alternative service deployment, and indicated a willingness to collaborate.
- Researchers warn closure without a substitute could increase overdoses, public drug use and ER pressures; Alberta Health Services data show more than 305,000 visits and 7,730 overdoses managed at the site from 2017 to March 2024, along with hundreds of monthly referrals to other services.