August 28, 2026
Earlier this week, London City Council supported a motion to remove provisions in emergency shelter agreements that addressed the bringing or possession of illegal drugs into shelters.
What does that actually mean? You’re probably not alone if you’re wondering.
The change has raised questions about what happens when someone seeking shelter has drugs in their possession. As reported by CTV, some councillors suggested the decision creates confusion by leaving shelter providers to determine whether someone carrying drugs will be allowed into a shelter.
But behind this policy decision is a much bigger question: What should we expect from our shelters, and how should we respond to people who are experiencing both homelessness and addiction?
People experiencing homelessness and addiction are among the most vulnerable members of our community. Of course, shelters have a responsibility to provide safe environments for participants, staff and volunteers. Drug use, trafficking, violence and behaviour that puts others at risk cannot simply be ignored.
But is possessing drugs the same as creating a safety risk? And should the possession of drugs, by itself, become a reason someone cannot access shelter? We’ve talked A LOT in London about the link between homelessness and healthcare. Can we / should we refuse access to housing supports based on someone’s an addiction illness?
I understand the concerns many people will have about enabling drug use or condoning illegal activity. These are complex issues, and there are no simple answers.
But I also believe that how we respond to people at their most vulnerable says something important about the kind of community we want to be.
Council had an opportunity to provide greater clarity about how we balance safety with access to shelter for people experiencing homelessness and addiction. Instead, the decision leaves that difficult balance to individual shelter providers.
In this week’s Steve’s Reflections, I take a closer look at this decision and share my thoughts on what it says about how we respond to some of London’s most vulnerable residents.
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