The Ontario government says it needs another month to determine if overdose prevention sites will continue to operate in the province.
The Progressive Conservatives paused the planned openings of several sites this summer as they conducted a review to determine the fate of such facilities.
The government had previously said it would announce a decision by the end of September but Community Services Minister Lisa MacLeod says the province needs another month to work on its review.
MacLeod says the province is grappling with an opioid crisis but must do its due diligence on the matter.
Health Minister Christine Elliott has said she has received data on the sites, held consultations on the issue and is in the process of finalizing her recommendations.
On Monday, groups advocating for the sites planted rows of crosses on the grounds of Ontario's legislature to represent those who died as a result of overdoses.