The downtown area of North Battleford. (Image Credit: Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Kenneth Cheung

HEALTH CARE

North Battleford seeks clarity as province eyes forced addictions treatment rollout

Mar 23, 2026 | 4:25 PM

North Battleford officials say they are cautiously supportive of Saskatchewan’s plan to launch a forced addictions treatment program in the city, but stress key details remain unclear.

The province has earmarked funding in its 2026-27 budget to begin rolling out the program, with North Battleford identified due to its proximity to existing mental health and psychiatric services.

“The City of North Battleford has engaged in high-level conversations with the provincial government regarding the proposed Compassionate Intervention Act,” the city said in a statement sent to battlefordsNOW.

The program would allow individuals to be ordered into treatment through a tribunal system, but the legislation required to establish that process – the Compassionate Intervention Act – has not yet been passed.

“We have encouraged the province to engage with local organizations and regional community leaders across the Battlefords to ensure clarity on the implementation of the legislation, and to outline anticipated outcomes and impacts to communities,” the statement said.

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Mental Health and Addictions Minister Lori Carr said the facility planned for North Battleford will be “intense” and based on a recovery-oriented system of care.

She said the legislation is expected to pass this spring, after which regulations will need to be developed and tribunal members appointed to oversee decisions on who is ordered into treatment.

Carr said the goal is to have the program operating in the fall, although timelines could shift. Details such as the number of beds and the facility’s location have not yet been finalized. The program will begin in North Battleford and then be expanded to the rest of the province as things progress.

“Ensuring that we get the process right, that everything runs smoothly, that what we’re intending with our services is provided, and then expanding throughout the province,” Carr said.

The 2026-27 budget allocates $673.7 million to mental health and addictions programs, a $49.9 million increase from the previous year.

The province also plans to add 200 addictions treatment spaces this fiscal year, fulfilling a commitment to create 500 new spaces overall.

Complex needs facilities are also being developed in Prince Albert and North Battleford.

READ MORE:

• Saskatchewan eyes opening for North Battleford complex needs facility next winter
• Battlefords leaders welcome health investments in 2026 Sask. budget

“The City of North Battleford expects to work further with the province to clarify how both the Complex Needs Facility investment and, if it is approved, the proposed Compassionate Intervention Act will function to offer improved social and health supports to community members,” the city said.

Other provinces have taken similar steps. Alberta introduced enforced care legislation last year, while British Columbia has opened involuntary care beds.

When Alberta’s program was proposed, the Alberta Medical Association raised concerns, saying evidence does not support that the benefits of involuntary treatment outweigh the risks. The Canadian Public Health Association also criticized the approach, calling it coercive and ineffective and arguing mandatory treatment does not reduce drug-related harms.

-With files from 980 CJME-

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com