The Mental Health and Substance Use clinic in downtown Vernon (file photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

Addressing the Overdose Crisis

City hall assisting groups access funds to address substance use and overdose issues

Oct 28, 2025 | 3:02 PM

The City of Vernon has committed to assisting local organizations access outside funds to address substance use and overdoses in the community.

At the regular meeting Monday, Oct. 27, Vernon City Council learned that Health Canada had opened applications for its Emergency Treatment Fund (ETF) program.

Through the program, Health Canada will be distributing up to $25-million in 2025 to organizations in municipalities and Indigenous communities across Canada. These funds will be used to support the groups as they deliver culturally relevant, trauma-informed and evidence-based programs and services.

Eligible organizations could receive up to $2-million per fiscal year for projects that run for up to a year that have the goal of addressing the overdose crisis.

Vernon City Council agreed to have staff work hand in hand with the Social Planning Council for the North Okanagan to assist local organizations navigate the application process and try to secure some of these funds.

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