Bay of Quinte MP Ryan Williams used his time in the House of Commons Thursday to ask the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions why there has been no real support 10 months after an Opioid Crisis and State of Emergency was declared in Belleville, and there was another onslaught of overdoses this week.
MP Williams asked about where the treatment beds are and emergency resources saying there is only more suffering as the crisis continues to devastate our community.
He said, “Mr. Speaker, nine months ago Belleville, Ontario was rocked by an opioid crisis. Thirty-six overdoses in only 48 hours. This Prime Minister said he would be there for Belleville, Ontario but after nine months not one more dollar for infrastructure, no more treatment beds. Just last week we had 11 overdoses in only two hours. How many more months does Belleville, Ontario have to wait for any support for mental health from this Prime Minister?”
He also asked the federal government to return carbon tax money Belleville has paid to Ottawa, saying, “Mr. Speaker, while Belleville is waiting for any dollars from the federal government, Belleville has been paying dollars to the federal government. Belleville council this week released a report that showed over the last five years, they have paid $1.5 million to the carbon tax, getting no refund. This money could have gone to support mental health. It could have paid for their renovations for their ‘Hub’ for mental health. Not only that, but when this Prime Minister quadruples this tax, Belleville is going to pay $5 million in the five years.
