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Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Graydon Smith (fourth from left) pauses for a photo with De Novo representatives on Friday, following the announcement. (Supplied photo)

Province investing $654,500 in De Novo Treatment Centre in Huntsville

From the Office of MPP Graydon Smith

The Ontario government is investing $654,500 through the Skills Development Training Stream into the De Novo Treatment Centre in Huntsville to help tradespeople in the construction sector overcome substance abuse disorder.

De Novo will use the funds to conduct research into the impacts of substance abuse disorder and the recovery process on families of tradespeople. The research project will enable De Novo to develop and implement leading edge educational activities, resources, and tools that better assist tradespeople and their families throughout the recovery journey.

“I’m thrilled that our government is making such a substantial investment into ensuring our skilled tradespeople have access to the best substance abuse disorder treatment in the world,” said MPP Graydon Smith, Parry Sound-Muskoka. “Premier Ford and our government have prioritized investing in the skilled trades and the men and women who build our province which, of course, includes ensuring they have access to the healthcare resources they deserve. De Novo Treatment Centre is a world-class facility that I’m proud to have operating here in Parry Sound-Muskoka.”

The Skills Development Fund Training Stream is open to a wide range of applicants, including employers, industry associations, labour unions, municipalities, hospitals and many more. The funding announced today builds on the government’s mission to make Ontario the best place in the world to work, live and raise a family.  

Since its launch in 2021, Ontario’s Skills Development Fund has helped connect more than half a million jobseekers with the skills and training they need to find well-paying and fulfilling careers close to home. 

Quick Facts

  • So far, the Skills Development Fund Training Stream has supported over 700 training projects across the province. 
  • More than 420,000 of these participants are expected to be from an underrepresented group such as women, youth, persons with disabilities, racialized groups and Indigenous peoples. 
  • Nearly 219,000 jobs are going unfilled across the province. 
  • People interested in participating in the programs announced today are encouraged to contact the lead organizations of the projects directly. 
  • The Skills Development Fund Training Stream is supported through labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.   
  • As announced in the 2024 Budget: Building a Better Ontario, the Ontario government is investing an additional $100 million through SDF to grow the trades workforce and build Ontario, bringing Ontario’s total SDF to over $1 billion.  

Additional Resources

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5 Comments

  1. Marcia Frost says:

    Its an ok move but this twn REALLY needs a treatmnt facility thts accessibl to ALL thos suffering frm substanc abuse issues, not jst thos in the trades who hav unions.

    I guarantee u most of the crimes committed in this twn are by locals with addiction problms who are NOT regularly employed in the trades and so do not qualify for any help.

    So i do see this move as a bit out of touch with our reality and isnt going to help very much overall😞

  2. Joanne Tanaka says:

    confused about how DeNovo qualified for research funds under this funding program for skill development. Addictions are a problem for skilled trades, but I can’t help but wonder if that large amount of money would not be better spent in programs directly treating/ supporting workers at risk of suffering mental health concerns or even to train all the skilled workers needed to build housing etc. Also notice that a large amount like this award would probably have practical benefit for training for staffing nursing homes, hospitals, and home care.

  3. Stanley Moulson says:

    How about $654,000.00 towards a Treatment facility for the locals who are living with substance abuse issues. DeNovo is a private facility for tradespeople and let’s face it, the unions can afford it. LOCALS CAN’T! Not one single bed in this facility is open to locals in the community who suppots it. Once again, our local government saying “look at what a great job we’re doing for you ” when really none of this funding will be used to help locals. Unless they’re in the trades.

  4. Tessa ann Brown says:

    I would think more of this if it actually helped people here that need it. It really makes me sick to my stomach. You need rehab you can wait the weeks / months to get a spot, forget about one in your own town we only help people with money.

  5. Beth Walker says:

    Holy moly Grayder!

    Every time I see him in the news he’s got a big cheque for Muskoka. Keep them coming I say.

    Cheers.