Dozens of mayors from across the country are in Lethbridge to help create a plan to tackle the opioid crisis. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Mayors’ conference on opioid crisis kicks off Monday in Lethbridge

Apr 14, 2025 | 7:00 AM

Municipal leaders from 28 communities across the country have traveled to Lethbridge for a conference.

The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) is gathering mayors to continue work on developing the first municipally-led, integrated standards for treatment, harm reduction, recovery, prevention and enforcement services, policies and strategies.

Between January 2016 and September 2023, over 42,000 people in Canada died due to drug overdoses.

“The overall death rate and negative impacts to health, mental health and well-being due to all substances are much higher. This takes a significant toll on communities,” says the CCSA.

The organization says open substance use in public spaces, rising numbers of substance use–related hospitalizations and deaths, and a lack of affordable and stable housing are only a few of the challenges small cities face as they attempt to better serve the needs of their communities.

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The conference will include mayors from the following communities:

• Brantford, ON
• Brockville, ON
• Burlington, ON
• Cambridge, ON
• Campbell River, B.C.
• Charlottetown, P.E.I.
• Cobourg, ON
• Cornwall, ON
• Duncan City, B.C.
• Fredericton, NB
• Kensington, P.E.I.
• Lethbridge, AB
• Miramichi, NB
• New Westminster, B.C.
• North Cowichan, B.C.
• Orangeville, ON
• Penticton, B.C.
• Portage La Prairie, MB
• Powell River, B.C.
• Prince Albert, SK
• Prince County, P.E.I.
• Prince George, B.C.
• Queens, NS
• Red Deer, AB
• Stephenville, NL
• Thompson, B.C.
• Timmins, ON
• West Nipissing (subject to change), ON

The conference takes place April 14-16, 2025 in Lethbridge.

Between January and October 2024, the Alberta Government said Lethbridge experienced its lowest level of drug overdose deaths since the same period in 2019.

READ MORE: Lethbridge drug overdose deaths lowest since 2019

READ MORE: Province credits recovery model for falling drug overdose deaths in Lethbridge

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