Province promises 'human-driven' approach for new mental health and addictions research centre
A "human-driven" approach by a new $5-million Crown corporation dedicated to mental health and addictions will be guided by research, says the Alberta minister responsible for it.
Dan Williams, the provincial mental health and addictions minister, says ideology isn't driving the plan for the new Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence, or CORE.
"This organization will be designed to evaluate programs within our recovery-oriented system of care and develop recommendations where improvements can be made," Williams said Tuesday during a media conference at the Alberta legislature.
He insists the centre will not be limited from researching treatments not supported by the province such as safe supply.
"It's abundantly clear it's a disaster — handing out drugs to those in the midst of an addiction in the crisis for our society is not helpful — but if there is meaningful, substantive evidence to suggest otherwise, I need to review that," Williams said.
Health law expert Lorian Hardcastle told CTV News Edmonton she's concerned that even though Williams says the expectation is that findings will be published, there is nothing legally obligating the new centre to do so.
"I think if the government is setting the research agenda rather than the arm's-length body of experts, the research agenda is going to be ideological in nature," Hardcastle said.
Decisions about what is researched and with whom is ultimately up to the organization and the minister, something that concerns Alberta's Official Opposition.
"These allowances for the minister to be able to access information well before the public do and determine what information is collected by CORE, that’s a huge concern," Janet Eremenko, the Alberta NDP's mental health and addiction critic, told CTV News Edmonton.
Alberta's former privacy commissioner is encouraged by CORE's privacy protections but questions how people's personal data will be used and shared.
"How much information? To how many people? Who are those people responsible to? Is CORE sharing this?" Frank Work said Tuesday.
The new centre is expected to begin operating this summer.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Wrong-way crash involving police on Ontario's Highway 401 leaves 4 dead, including infant
A wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby, Ont. last night has left four people dead, including an infant, Ontario’s police watchdog says.
Judge holds Trump in contempt, fines him US$9,000 and raises threat of jail in hush money trial
Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined US$9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. If he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
New cancer treatment approved, but not everyone thinks it's what's best for patients
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
Canada's new dental program offering hope of free care to millions but many dentists aren't signed up
A new Canadian dental care program is offering the hope of free care to millions, but while 1.7 million people have signed up for the plan, only about 5,000 dentists have done the same.
Sword-wielding man attacks passersby in London, killing a 13-year-old boy and injuring 4 others
A man wielding a sword attacked members of the public and police officers in a east London suburb early Tuesday, killing a 13-year-old boy and injuring four others, authorities said.
Police searching for 'armed man' in Dartmouth, N.S., residents asked to shelter in place
Residents in the area of Gaston Road in Dartmouth, N.S., are being asked to shelter in place as police search for an armed suspect.