Ottawa Inner City Health

On Monday, staff (both former and present), clients, and supporters of harm reduction came together to say goodbye to the Trailer and find a sense of closure.

We shared a morning of connection, viewing community artwork, reconnecting, and reflecting on all the moments that made this space so special.

Chad opened with heartfelt words of thanks, followed by Redstone Snake Woman Jenny leading a healing ceremony and smudging of the space. Stories followed from staff and clients, which were filled with both laughter and tears.

The Trailer was more than a space, it was a community. Saying goodbye was not easy, but it was a beautiful celebration filled with love, connection, and gratitude.

Thank you to everyone who was part of this journey ❤️

To everyone who was part of the Trailer, thank you.

From the very beginning, this work was carried by people who just showed up and did what needed to be done, even when there wasn’t a clear direction. Before the Trailer existed, staff were already out there responding to overdoses in whatever spaces were available. As things grew, the Trailer became more than a service. It became a place people trusted. A place where folks could come in and not feel judged. A place where small things mattered like saying good morning, sitting with someone and just listening.

The work was not easy. It was messy and heavy. There were days where it was just one crisis after another. There was loss and pressure, and still people kept showing up.

Trailer was a beautiful place. Anyone who spent time there knows it was a place of community. A place where someone might bring in a guitar for a group sing along. Dance parties. Watching nature documentaries. Colouring and drawing. Laughing until you cry or crying until you laugh depending on the day. A place where the unexpected happened all the time. There were inside jokes, moments of relief, and a connection that only comes from going through something together. It is something most people will never fully understand and there was a lot of love in that space.

There is a quote that says "the true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members." That the same metric can be used to measure the character of a person. In that regard, you should all hold your heads high and be proud for how you have shown up and shown love and support for some of the most vulnerable and marginalized members of this community. That type of character and goodness can never taken away.

Even though the Trailer is closing, what was built there does not disappear. The way you showed up, the care you gave, the way you treated people, that stays. It carries into whatever comes next, and it stays with the people whose lives you touched.

You should be proud of what you did here.

On March 13, 2026, the Ontario government announced it will withdraw funding from all supervised consumption services, including Trailer, with closure required by June 13. Since then, we have been working hard to explore every possible path forward, advocate for evidence-based care, and support both our staff and community through this transition. However, we have no choice but to move forward with closure.

To our staff and partners, this decision is not a reflection of your work or the importance of harm reduction. You have made a difference in people’s lives in ways that words cannot fully capture. We are so grateful for everything you have given and continue to give.

To our community members who have stood by us, thank you for sharing your voices, and for advocating alongside us through all of this.

To our clients who rely on these services, we want you to know we are still here. We will keep finding ways to support you and work alongside you. We have not given up on you, and we are so sorry this is happening.

Tomorrow, we say goodbye to The Trailer. We will keep moving forward as an organization and continue finding creative and novel ways to respond to the toxic drug crisis. We will also take time to mourn the loss of this beautiful and essential service we have built.

Dear Trailer,

I came into your life in 2019, and by that time, you were growing into the amazing program you are today.

Already transforming and saving our clients' lives.

Our clients learned to trust in you and knew that when they walked in, they were welcomed and not judged.

They knew they were safe, cared for, and loved.

As your years went on, you have aided in reversing countless overdoses, assessing, and treating countless wounds, mental health supports. and supporting every client that wanted to achieve the most important goals to them, whether it be a health card, identification, connecting with a family member, and getting to appointments.

You have also employed some of the most amazing people I have come to meet.

They have always shown up and gave their all each shift. Not afraid to jump into whatever situation came by them, and willing to always listen and advocate for our client's needs.

You have changed everyone's life for the better, including mine.
You will not be forgotten, you will be missed, and if there is a way, we will see you again.

- Chad Bouthillier, Trailer CTS and TED Program Manager

Please see our statement from Ottawa Inner City Health physicians on the closure of Ottawa’s only 24/7 supervised consumption site and its impact on community safety and public health.

Rob Boyd joined Dean Dewar and the Sandy Hill CHC Consumption Site team to reflect on the incredible work done over the years and to share concerns about what lies ahead. As part of the visit, Rob also led a letting go ritual to honour the site and the many memories it holds.

Ottawa Inner City Health was proud to present at the Alliance for Healthier Communities Conference in Toronto, centered on this year’s theme: Attachment for Everyone 🤝

Our team delivered two sessions that highlighted innovative and community-driven approaches to care:

✨ The Power of Purpose: Skill Development, Peer Pathways, and Meaningful Work

Presented by Tabitha Morris (OICH) alongside Dean Dewar (Sandy Hill Community Health Centre), this session explored how meaningful work and peer-led pathways support stability, purpose and long term wellbeing.

✨ A Safer Downtown for All: Inclusion of People Who Use Drugs in Public Safety Solutions

Presented by Tabitha Morris and Danny Lang (OICH), this interactive workshop focused on Block Leaders and the importance of centering lived experience in public safety and community solutions.

Both sessions reached full capacity and demonstrated the growing momentum behind inclusive and person centered approaches grounded in community!

OICH is passionate about palliative care and providing services at our Diane Morrison Hospice. That’s why we stand with Pallium Canada in calling for a National Palliative Care Training Standard for Long-Term Care, because residents and families deserve the best care centred on quality of life, dignity, and compassion.

Learn more:https://www.pallium.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Pallium-Canada-2026-Federal-Pre-Budget-Submission.pdf