On a cool Thursday afternoon in Ottawa, veteran police officer Sgt. Avery Flanagan approaches a man hunched over in a downtown parking lot. He has crushed opioids in one hand and a needle in the other.
Flanagan tells the man, who appears to be in his 20s, he can’t use drugs on private property.
“Have you ever overdosed on fentanyl?” asks the officer.
“Twice or three times,” he responds. “You hit the floor, you wake up, you don’t even know that you’ve overdosed.”
“Pretty scary feeling?” asks Flanagan.
“Yeah, pretty scary,” he answers.
Similar encounters unfolded throughout the day as Global News accompanied the officer during a patrol last November of the city’s downtown, an area where the opioid epidemic and housing crisis are colliding and having deadly consequences.
In the two months since, the Public Health Agency of Canada released updated 2023 numbers in December 2023 showcasing the staggering scope of opioid and drug overdoses across the country. That data showed an average of 22 deaths per day from apparent opioid toxicity between the first six months of last year, up five per cent from the same period in 2022.
Most of those — 89 per cent — are in three places: B.C., Alberta and Ontario.
And as housing affordability becomes a political lightning rod set to dominate the return of the House of Commons on Jan. 29, there is growing attention not just on those who struggle to make their rent or mortgage payments, but also on those who don’t have a home at all.
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“The opioid crisis is something that I’ve seen really, really hurt us. And it’s been a struggle to get a hold,” said Flanagan.
The officer is a member of the Ottawa Police Service’s neighbourhood resource team, which focuses on crime prevention and public safety.
Flanagan comes from a family of police officers and has spent most of his 20-year career working in downtown Ottawa, which is undergoing a dramatic transformation, he says.
In his view, Ottawa could just as well be any Canadian city.
“I don’t think we’re unique at all,” he told Global News. “I’ve travelled through work, and I’ve travelled personally, and I’ve seen it from Victoria to Greater Halifax.”
“Even before the pandemic, North America was hit by this opioid crisis. That’s probably been the biggest change that I’ve seen,” added Flanagan.
1:08 Sgt. Avery Flanagan checks alleyway for possible overdose victims in Ottawa
How much have opioid overdoses increased?
The veteran officer says one of the biggest challenges in his 20-year career has been trying to respond to the overdose epidemic.
The most recent available data shows nearly 4,000 Canadians died during the first six months of 2023. More than 70 per cent of those who died were male, and most are between the ages of 20 and 59. Eighty-four per cent of the deaths involve fentanyl, up 47 per cent since 2016.
The opioid epidemic took hold years ago, with federal government beginning its surveillance of the crisis in 2016. Since then, the situation has only gotten worse. Over the past seven years, opioids have killed more than 40,000 Canadians.
“The COVID-19 pandemic may have exacerbated the crisis, as several jurisdictions reported higher rates of fatal overdoses and other harms,” said the Public Health Agency of Canada report from December.
In the four hours Global News spent with Flanagan, the majority of his time was spent on the front lines of this public health disaster.
“A large majority of our calls are mental health and medical, mostly overdoses,” he said.
The emergencies unfolded stumbling distance from Parliament Hill. The juxtaposition is not lost on Flanagan; Canada’s most powerful politicians and some of Canada’s most vulnerable people, all nestled in the same one-kilometre radius.
“I don’t know what the solution is. It’s way above me. All I can do is focus here in Ottawa and try to come up with some ideas and small little band-aids to help,” he said.
What role does the housing shortage play?
As Canada’s addiction crisis deepens, a lack of affordable housing has thrust substance use and also extreme poverty into public view.
“I haven’t seen the visibility of homelessness this bad,” said University of Ottawa psychology professor Tim Aubry.
Aubry co-chairs the Canadian Housing First Network, an organization trying to eradicate homelessness in Canada.
The most recent Statistics Canada survey on housing shows as of 2021, more than 227,000 Canadians were on waiting lists for social or affordable housing.
No camping sign at the National War Memorial grounds in Ottawa, Ontario on Friday August 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS IMAGES/Lars Hagberg.
THE CANADIAN PRESS IMAGES/Lars Hagberg
What’s adding to the problem, says Aubry, is that social assistance has not kept up with inflation, pushing the lowest-income earners out of the rental market entirely.
“People who are homeless compete with students. They compete with people coming into the country. It’s all that low level rental,” he added. Flanagan says he has also seen more visible homelessness in downtown Ottawa.
While out on patrol, the officer recognizes a young man named Justin. He stops to check on him. Justin, who only wants to use his first name, sleeps on the streets in and around the city’s Byward Market.
It’s a popular area and tourist destination, but the market also struggles with crime, drug use and homelessness.
“There are all sorts of vacant dwellings, but they’re not being accessed for financial reasons, as opposed to humanitarian assistance,” said Justin.
“There’s a lot of money being pumped in all directions. A lot of it going to the public sector isn’t really going to the public.”
2:39 Edmonton mayor seeks to declare homeless crisis emergency
In 2017, the Trudeau government released its National Housing Strategy, which included a pledge to cut homelessness by 50 per cent over the next 10 years.
But halfway into the strategy, the Liberals can’t say how much progress they’ve made.
“It’s an area that we need to get better data [on],” acknowledged Housing Minister Sean Fraser at a news conference in Halifax on Monday.
A 2022 report from the auditor general found major information gaps and a “lack of federal accountability for achieving Canada’s target.”
“Infrastructure Canada spent about $1.36 billion between 2019 and 2021 on initiatives to prevent and reduce homelessness,” reads Auditor General Karen Hogan’s report.
“The audit found that the department did not know whether the rates of homelessness and chronic homelessness have increased or decreased since 2019.”
Fraser said the pandemic disrupted data collection and “delayed our ability to understand the progress that has been achieved.”
But he insists the federal government is on track. “We believe it’s ambitious, but we can achieve the target.”
What are possible solutions?
Aubry says the key to getting people out of chronic homelessness and treating addiction is a “housing-first” approach.
“A lot of our resources go to emergency measures,” said Aubry. While those are crucial, especially during the winter months, they do not get to the root of the program, he says.
“You have to marry housing with support, and we haven’t nearly done enough of that.”
According to Aubry’s own research, Canada needs to triple the number of “housing first” programs to really make a “dent.” He also advocates for more rent subsidies.
“Whether it’s social assistance or it’s even the disability pension, the amounts simply haven’t kept up with the cost of accommodations. So there has to be resources targeting the deficiency in income support.”
A drug syringe and nasal overdose spray can be seen near a popular drug spot in Ottawa, Ontario on Thursday, June 25, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS IMAGES/Lars Hagberg.
THE CANADIAN PRESS IMAGES/Lars Hagberg
The role of mental health supports — and the challenges of accessing that care — are also a crucial part of any potential solution, Aubry and Flanagan say.
One of Flanagan’s last stops is the Salvation Army in the Byward Market.
An older man sees the officer and asks for help. His friend, a regular at the shelter, has disappeared.
“He’s been missing for five months. He’s usually in jail or here. We’re trying to get a line on him,” he tells Flanagan.
1:33 Ottawa officer reflects on how opioid crisis has transformed the city
The man doesn’t want to give his name but identifies himself as a 61-year-old military veteran.
He used to sleep at the Salvation Army himself, after he was released from jail for assault. He says his life turned around, after his daughter took him in and he received counselling.
“I’ve had mental health issues and sought help. A lot of it, thank God.”
Flanagan searches for his missing friend’s name on the police database, but nothing comes up.
“My last stop is going to be the morgue,” says the 61-year-old.
Over the years, Flanagan has also seen familiar faces disappear. It’s one of the most difficult parts of the job.
But he says he still has reasons for optimism.
Injection booths are seen at the Cactus safe injection site Monday, June 26, 2017 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
Flanagan credits safe consumption sites with saving lives and calls naloxone kits — which reverse the effects of opioid overdoses — a “blessing.”
Ottawa has four such safe consumption sites in the downtown core: two in the Byward Market and adjacent Lowertown area, and one each in the nearby neighbourhoods of Sandy Hill and Centretown, roughly 10 to 20 minute walks from the Byward Market.
The sites provide clean equipment for drug use and safe disposal of things like needles afterwards, as well as emergency care for overdoses, testing for infectious diseases, access or referrals to addictions services, and access or referrals to services for help finding housing or work.
Flanagan also points to a future downtown police service center which will open in the Rideau Centre, a shopping mall next to Byward Market.
It’s part of a wider strategy by Ottawa police to increase its presence downtown and change the way the service responds to mental health crises.
“You want it to attract people, but you also want it to be a deterrent to crime. So that’s a tough balance,” said Flanagan.
The officer says his job is a constant balancing act; preventing crime and building trust with “people who are day-to-day living tough lives.”
“When we walked around today and we saw folks I know and recognize, that’s a good feeling. That means that I’m doing my job.”
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Hearing the familiar sounds of clacking sticks and pucks banging off the boards and glass while watching Columbus Blue Jackets prospects from the stands of a cold rink on a warm late-summer afternoon was not enough to wash away the lingering residuals of grief for Don Waddell on Saturday.
That, the Blue Jackets’ general manager acknowledged, will take more time than anyone can guess — weeks, months, perhaps an entire season and beyond.
What mattered is how spending the weekend attending the Sabres Prospects Challenge represented a start to what Waddell called among the first steps in refocusing on hockey and the future in the aftermath of the deaths of Columbus star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, who were struck by a suspected drunken driver while riding bicycles on Aug 29.
“We got to play hockey,” Waddell said. “We’re not going to forget about Johnny and his family, the Gaudreau family.”
“Everybody knows that Johnny wants them to play hockey,” Waddell said. “And everybody’s rallying around that.”
The resumption of hockey in Columbus began last week, when most Blue Jackets players returned to their facility to be together and lean on each other at the urging of Waddell and team captain Boone Jenner. And it will continue on Thursday, when the team opens training camp, exactly three weeks since the Gaudreaus were killed.
“Tragic. Senseless. But now we got to focus on trying to get our team ready to play hockey this year,” Waddell said. “We all mourn and heal differently, but I think as a team being together like that is going to be critical for them to get moving forward.”
Waddell was general manager of the then-Atlanta Thrashers in 2003 when Dany Heatley lost control of his car and struck a wall, with the crash killing passenger and teammate Dan Snyder. In 2021, Blue Jackets goalie Matiss Kivlenieks died during a July Fourth fireworks accident.
Waddell placed the emphasis on himself and coach Dean Evason — both newcomers to Columbus this offseason — to guide the team through what will be an emotional season.
“Now, do I think there’s going to be some dark days? I won’t be surprised,” Waddell said.
Reminders of the Gaudreaus’ deaths remain apparent, and reflected in Buffalo on Friday night. A moment of silence was held in tribute to the brothers before the opening faceoff of a game between the Blue Jackets and Sabres.
Afterward, Columbus prospect Gavin Brindley recalled the times he spent with Johnny Gaudreau in Columbus and as teammates representing the United States at the world hockey championships in the Czech Republic in May.
“He was one of the biggest mentors for me at the world championships,” Brindley said. “I couldn’t tell you how many times we hung out with Meredith, pictures on my phone. It’s just so hard to look back and see that kind of stuff.”
The NHL and NHL Players’ Association are providing the Blue Jackets help in the form of grief counseling, crowd security at vigils and addressing hockey issues, such as potentially altering the league’s salary cap rules to provide Columbus relief from having to reach the NHL minimum payroll because of the void left by Gaudreau’s contract.
“The Blue Jackets, I don’t think anybody’s focused from an organizational standpoint, from a hockey standpoint as to what comes next, because I think everybody’s still in shock,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman told The Associated Press last week. “I don’t think anybody’s focused right now other than on the grieving part, which is understandable.”
Much of the burden has fallen to Waddell, who has been in discussions with the NHL and the NHLPA and dealing with outreach programs with the Blue Jackets’ partner OhioHealth, while also overseeing preparations for training camp and gauging his prospects in Buffalo.
There’s also his roster to attend to, which he said has two openings at forward, one involving Justin Danforth, who may miss the start of the season because of a wrist injury. Waddell didn’t have to mention the second opening.
Tiring and emotional as it’s been, Waddell found comfort being in his element, a rink, and looking ahead to the start of training camp.
“The guys are in really good shape. We’ve done a lot of testing already and they’re eager to get going,” Waddell said. “We have a reason to play for. And we’ll make the best of it.”
The Blue Jackets later Sunday signed veteran winger James van Riemsdyk to a one-year contract worth $900,000.
“James van Riemsdyk has been a very consistent, productive player throughout his career,” Waddell said. “Bringing him to Columbus will not only provide depth to our group up front, but also valuable leadership and another veteran presence in our dressing room.”
___
AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno in New York contributed to this report.
PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain defender Nuno Mendes was the target of abusive and racist comments on social media after a French league game.
The club condemned the abuse and expressed its “full support” Sunday for the Portugal left back, who was targeted following PSG’s 3-1 win against Brest on Saturday.
Mendes, who is Black, shared on his Instagram account a racist message he received.
During the match, Mendes brought down Ludovic Ajorque in the box for a penalty that Romain Del Castillo converted to give Brest the lead.
“Paris Saint-Germain doesn’t tolerate racism, antisemitism or any other form of discrimination,” the club said. “The racial insults directed at Nuno Mendes are totally unacceptable … we are working with the relevant authorities and associations to ensure those responsible are held accountable for their actions.”
MONTREAL – Tadej Pogacar was so dominant on Sunday, Canada’s Michael Woods called it a race for second.
Pogacar, a three-time Tour de France champion from Slovenia, pedalled to a resounding victory at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal.
The UAE Team Emirates leader crossed the finish line 24 seconds ahead of Spain’s Pello Bilbao of Bahrain — Victorious to win the demanding 209.1-kilometre race on a sunny, 28 C day in Montreal. France’s Julian Alaphilippe of Soudal Quick-Step was third.
“He’s the greatest rider of all time, he’s a formidable opponent,” said Woods, who finished 45 seconds behind the leader in eighth. “If you’re not at your very, very best, then you can forget racing with him, and today was kind of representative of that.
“He’s at such a different level that if you follow him, it can be lights out.”
Pogacar slowed down before the last turn to celebrate with the crowd, high-five fans on Avenue du Parc and cruise past the finish line with his arms in the air after more than five hours on the bike.
The 25-year-old joined Belgium’s Greg Van Avermaet as the only multi-time winners in Montreal after claiming the race in 2022. He also redeemed a seventh-place finish at the Quebec City Grand Prix on Friday.
“I was disappointed, because I had such good legs that I didn’t do better than seventh,” Pogacar said. “To bounce back after seventh to victory here, it’s just an incredible feeling.”
It’s Pogacar’s latest win in a dominant year that includes victories at the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia.
Ottawa’s Woods (Israel Premier-Tech) tied a career-best in front of the home crowd in Montreal, but hoped for more after claiming a stage at the Spanish Vuelta two weeks ago.
“I wanted a better result,” the 37-year-old rider said. “My goal was a podium, but at the same time I’m happy with the performance. In bike racing, you can’t always get the result you want and I felt like I raced really well, I animated the race, I felt like I was up there.”
Pogacar completed the 17 climbs up and down Mount Royal near downtown in five hours 28 minutes 15 seconds.
He made his move with 23.3 kilometres to go, leaving the peloton in his dust as he pedalled into the lead — one he never relinquished.
Bilbao, Alaphilippe, Alex Aranburu (Movistar Team) and Bart Lemmen (Visma–Lease) chased in a group behind him, with Bilbao ultimately separating himself from the pack. But he never came close to catching Pogacar, who built a 35-second lead with one lap left to go.
“It was still a really hard race today, but the team was on point,” Pogacar said. “We did really how we planned, and the race situation was good for us. We make it hard in the last final laps, and they set me up for a (takeover) two laps to go, and it was all perfect.”
Ottawa’s Derek Gee, who placed ninth in this year’s Tour de France, finished 48th in Montreal, and called it a “hard day” in the heat.
“I think everyone knows when you see Tadej on the start line that it’s just going to be full gas,” Gee said.
Israel Premier-Tech teammate Hugo Houle of Sainte-Perpétue, Que., was 51st.
Houle said he heard Pogacar inform his teammates on the radio that he was ready to attack with two laps left in the race.
“I said then, well, clearly it’s over for me,” Houle said. “You see, cycling isn’t that complicated.”
Australia’s Michael Matthews won the Quebec City GP for a record third time on Friday, but did not finish in Montreal. The two races are the only North American events on the UCI World Tour.
Michael Leonard of Oakville, Ont., and Gil Gelders and Dries De Bondt of Belgium broke away from the peloton during the second lap. Leonard led the majority of the race before losing pace with 45 kilometres to go.
Only 89 of 169 riders from 24 teams — including the Canadian national team — completed the gruelling race that features 4,573 metres in total altitude.
Next up, the riders will head to the world championships in Zurich, Switzerland from Sept. 21 to 29.
Pogacar will try to join Eddy Merckx (1974) and Stephen Roche (1987) as the only men to win three major titles in a season — known as the Triple Crown.
“Today gave me a lot of confidence, motivation,” Pogacar said. “I think we are ready for world championships.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 15, 2024.
