Timmins left out from Ontario's latest announcement on Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment hubs

Timmins was not among the 18 Ontario communities named to get funding from the province for Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) hubs on Monday.

The hubs will offer drug treatment and recovery services, along with on-site referral to shelter and transitional housing services. But they won't have supervised consumption services, and won't be a place where people can access a safe drug supply.

Timmins Mayor Michelle Boileau told CBC News she was disappointed to be left out.

"I believe that there's still a great need in Timmins for more mental health and addiction treatment capacity," she said.

"So of course, I was disappointed that Timmins wasn't included in this realm of announcements knowing that there are gaps in our current service continuum in Timmins."

According to data from the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario and local health units, communities in northern Ontario, including Timmins, continue to have opioid-related mortality rates around twice as high as the provincial average.

The Porcupine Health Unit, which includes Timmins, had 31 suspected opioid-related deaths in 2022, and 51 the next year.

The health unit area also covers a large portion of northeastern Ontario as far north as Moosonee, and was was the only region in the northeast to see an increase in opioid-related deaths in 2023.

Several organizations in Timmins banded together last year to purchase the former Ramada Inn hotel, with plans to host a new wellness centre and health hub for people recovering from addiction.

The organizations – including the Cochrane District Services Board (CDSB), the Mushkegowuk Council, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and Timmins and District Hospital – asked the provincial government for $4.4 million in annual funding to support the facility's operations.

Even if the building can't host a HART hub, Boileau said it will still fill a need by providing supportive housing.

She added that she will continue to be in contact with the province to see if there's a way to secure more mental health and addictions funding, and possibly a HART hub in the future.

"Quite honestly, we need more resources," she said.

"And I would say that we'll be working with the service providers that are on the ground that are best positioned to identify where those service gaps are and what some of the solutions could be in addressing the needs of the people that are living here in our region. So I would hope that, you know, this is just part of what will be a continued conversation with the provincial government as to what is needed to help those who are most vulnerable in their communities."