Timmins city officials invite provincial health minister to 'talk with people in the laneways'

Northern opioid crisis 'tough to manage' Timmins invites Ontario's health minister to visit the city to see the impact of the opioid crisis firsthand. Watch Lydia Chubak's report.

Timmins — The City of Timmins is calling on the provincial and federal governments to declare a national health epidemic with respect to the opioid crisis across Canada.

Timmins City Council has also sent an invitation to Ontario's Minister of Health, Christine Elliott, asking her to come see what the situation is in Timmins.

"Visit our shelter; talk with people in the laneways around here and really get a sense of what's happening," said Dave Landers, Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Timmins. "We think it's important that the minister understand our situation sooner rather than later. We expect we'll hear back within a couple of weeks and hopefully we have someone on the ground before the snow is gone and can actually see what's happening here."

City of Timmins resolution on opioid emergency Timmins City Council passed a resolution last Tuesday in support of a report containing 22 recommendations in addressing the opioid overdose emergency in Ontario. (Lydia Chubak/CTV northern Ontario)