A recent provincial law permitting law enforcement to hold inebriated individuals for a maximum of 72 hours is causing concerns in Brandon. Despite efforts since 2021 to establish a 24-hour sobering center following Manitoba Justice’s commitment of $2 million in initial funding, the facility has yet to materialize.
Currently, there is no designated protective care facility for 72-hour detentions, leading to police being limited to holding intoxicated individuals for only 24 hours. Brandon’s Police Chief Tyler Bates emphasizes the need for an extended detention period due to the escalating number of substance use-related incidents officers are encountering.
The number of individuals brought into custody for intoxication or drug-related issues has notably increased since the addition of paramedics to Brandon’s detention center in the summer of 2025. Bates disclosed that while 255 people were held from July 3 to Nov. 18, 2024, the figure surged to 529 during the same period in 2025.
Bates expressed concerns that releasing individuals before they are fully sober due to the 24-hour cap poses risks of potential victimization. The recent legislation, known as the Protective Detention and Care of Intoxicated Persons Act, extends the detention period for highly intoxicated individuals to 72 hours.
Efforts are underway to establish protective care centers in Brandon and Thompson, according to Bates, aligning with the operational launch of a new 20-room facility in Winnipeg. Shannon Saltarelli, the city’s community housing and wellness co-ordinator, emphasized the need for an alternative sobering center, highlighting the inadequacy of using cells for individuals requiring sobriety.
Plans for Brandon’s sobering center have faced setbacks primarily due to funding issues, with Saltarelli indicating that while $2 million was allocated for planning, the construction of a purpose-built center would require closer to $6 million. The project is currently at the architectural design stage, with a substantial funding gap remaining.
Mayor Jeff Fawcett clarified that the initial $2 million was intended as seed funding, with the center’s location secured adjacent to the John Howard Society’s transitional housing. The city is now focusing on securing an operator for the center to advance towards its completion.
In response to concerns that the new law may deviate from the original vision for the center, advocates stress the importance of community-based support over increased detention powers. Antoinette Gravel-Ouellette from Moms Stop the Harm warned against deepening reliance on incarceration without adequate treatment options, emphasizing the need for comprehensive services to support individuals effectively.
Both Bates and Gravel-Ouellette agree that a sobering center plays a crucial role in breaking the cycle of repeated detentions and criminalization of substance use. They advocate for a holistic approach to address addiction issues and provide long-term solutions beyond short-term detentions.