Tom Vair, chief administrative officer at the City of Sault Ste. Marie, is set to propose to city council a reevaluation of the efforts for establishing a health equity center within the city. “We may need to abandon hope for a health equity centre in Sault Ste. Marie,” he stated in a report prepared for council members.
The push for a health equity center had gained momentum in 2018 when councillors approved a resolution to collaborate with various community partners to assess the necessity for harm reduction and health equity services in the Jamestown area.
The fundamental principle of health equity is to ensure that everyone has fair access to opportunities that allow them to achieve their fullest health potential. This includes addressing disparities in crucial areas such as income, social status, education, and healthcare accessibility.
Vair noted that since the passing of the 2018 resolution, several significant changes have impacted the timeline and feasibility of the health equity centre initiative.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has delayed the response to the council resolution. Additionally, potential developments aimed at establishing a safe-consumption site were hindered by the province’s Community Care and Recovery Act, which prohibits such sites within 200 metres of schools or daycares,” he explained.
In light of these challenges, Vair indicated that community stakeholders have shifted focus to apply for a Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub, which received funding that will enable the city to address current mental health and addiction crises. “Sault Ste. Marie successfully secured funding for a HART Hub, which will be led by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in collaboration with local partners,” he added.
The HART Hub is expected to provide 24/7 access to medical, mental health, and addiction support, aiming to extend services to vulnerable populations both on the streets and in supportive housing settings. Vair emphasized the importance of this new direction, saying, “With these significant investments to tackle mental health and addiction challenges, we believe that continuing to pursue a separate health equity center may not be necessary at this time.”
As a new chapter in addressing community health unfolds, city staff plan to collaborate with community stakeholders to monitor the outcomes of the HART Hub and continue advocating for future investments in community health services.
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