A question from a councillor may have spawned a discussion towards easing the strain on paramedics and those who have addiction issues.

In an exchange during the July 26 council meeting between Superior North EMS Chief Wayne Gates and At-Large Councillor Aldo Ruberto, the elected official asked whether Thunder Bay could adopt an idea in Winnipeg which has a facility that staffs physicians, nurses and paramedics and allows emergency crews to bring people in that don’t necessarily need to take up space at the hospital.

Gates explained it could be an option going forward but that the province would have to take the lead on that.

The Chief also referenced the Manitoba legislation titled the Intoxicated Persons Detention Act, which allows authorities to arrest individuals for intoxication and bring them to that facility, whereas in Ontario, nobody can be forced to go to a treatment centre or to get treatment and emergency personnel only have the authority to transport an individual to the emergency department or alternative destination such as a detox facility.

Thunder Bay has a pair of addictions treatment centres on Sibley Drive and Oliver Road.

Local Unifor spokesperson Rob Moquin told Acadia News he likes Ruberto’s idea but a bigger facility would be needed.

“They’re often full and it’s a smaller facility,” added Moquin, when discussing the Balmoral Centre. “In turn that now has us bottlenecking at the hospital with people that are there for alcohol-related issues not necessarily alcohol-related emergencies. And it has our members on delays for upwards of four hours with people that could otherwise be at a facility better suited for their current need.”

There’s no word yet on whether emergency personnel will push the province further on this idea.