April 15, 2025
Manitoba Government Announces $1.5 Million in Support for Anne Oake Family Recovery Centre
– – –New Centre Will Offer Hope and Healing to Women with Addictions: Fontaine
The Manitoba government is providing $1.5 million through the Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag Strategy to support the construction and startup funding for the Anne Oake Family Recovery Centre, Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine, minister responsible for women and gender equity, announced today.
“The Anne Oake Family Recovery Centre will offer hope and healing for women with addictions,” said Fontaine. “By giving women a supportive space where they can focus on healing, we are building healthier communities for women and their children as part of our Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag Strategy.”
The minister noted $1 million will support capital construction costs for the new 75,000 sq.-ft. centre, which will include 50 to 70 treatment beds. The facility will also feature a licensed child-care facility so mothers can stay close to their children while in recovery.
Startup funding of $500,000 to help support the government’s commitment to expand detox beds and other treatment options so Manitobans have the support they need to overcome addiction is coming from the Department of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness.
“Our government’s commitment to supporting women and folks who are recovering from addictions has been a pillar since day one, and we’re thrilled to be supporting the Anne Oake Family Recovery Centre, along with support from the Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag Strategy,” said Housing, Addictions and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith. “Providing more pathways to recovery for Manitoban women will change lives and help them build a strong future for themselves and their children.”
The project is an initiative of the Bruce and Anne Oake Memorial Foundation, which has launched a capital campaign to raise $25 million to build the new centre. As of September 2024, $13 million had been raised.
“This generous support from the Province of Manitoba is more than a contribution to bricks and mortar – it’s an investment in the lives of women who deserve safety, dignity and the chance to heal with their children by their side,” said Scott Oake, president, Bruce and Anne Oake Memorial Foundation Inc. “The Anne Oake Family Recovery Centre will be a place of hope, where generations of women and families can begin again. In honouring Anne’s legacy, we are answering a deeper call – to walk alongside those who need love and support the most. We are so proud to be part of this journey and so grateful to the province for believing in it.”
The investment is consistent with other government investments in life-changing services like the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre, addictions medicine services like Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine clinics, medical withdrawal management in all regions of the province and increased day and evening programming for women and families, noted Smith. It honours Pillar 6 of the Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag Strategy, which recognizes Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse relatives deserve safe and healthy communities, and also Pillar 5, health services. To learn more about the Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag Strategy, Manitoba’s $20-million provincial strategy to support the safety, protection and empowerment of Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse people, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/wage/minoayaawag-ikwewag.html.
The announcement responds to the 2019 final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and supports the Manitoba government’s commitment to implementing its 231 Calls to Justice.
The Bruce and Anne Oake Memorial Foundation’s mission is to provide life-saving recovery services and build brighter futures for individuals and families. To make a donation in support of the Anne Oake Family Recovery Centre, visit www.bruceoakefoundation.com/donate.
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