Statement – US Embassy International Visitor Leadership Program

My Participation in the US Embassy International Visitor Leadership Program

Dear residents and neighbours,

From September 20^th – October 11^th, I will be participating in the US Embassy International Visitor Leadership Program to study how different cities across the United States are responding to the opioid crisis, and to bring this knowledge back home. This iteration of the program is called “Building Connections to Address the North American Opioid Crisis.”

This program was created in 1948 by the United States Congress to:

“…promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries… Since its inception in 1940, more than 230,000 international leaders have taken part in the IVLP including over 500 alumni that have become heads of state or government, 12 Nobel Laureates, 1,600+ Cabinet Ministers, 1,000+ members of Parliament, and numerous leaders in industry, science, and academia. IVLP participants are nominated by U.S. Embassies around the world.”

The U.S. Department of State has outlined the following specific objectives for the project:

• Strengthen efforts on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border to stem the rise in opioid drug use and overdoses in both countries.
• Connect working level experts to share strategies that have had real impact as well as to learn from efforts that haven’t delivered results.
• Identify strategies to address the public health opioid crisis in both countries.
• Explore public-private partnerships and collaboration in the medical field to manage rehab programs to curb dependence on opioids.
• Learn about how organizations and governments curb illicit drug use.

A large part of my work as the Councillor for Rideau-Vanier is to attempt to address the opioid and fentanyl crises here in Ottawa, which significantly impacts my ward. After consulting with Global Affairs Canada and meeting with the Government of Canada’s Fentanyl Czar, I accepted the invitation. I plan to learn more about how major US cities are responding to this crisis and see how I can apply their experience back home. There will be no associated costs for my participation in this program billed to my office budget or to the city.

The program will visit Washington DC, Baltimore MD, Orlando FL, Portland MN, and Cleveland OH. During this tour, I will be participating in my Council and Committee meetings remotely and will be answering emails in the evening. My wonderful staff will be on hand as usual. I look forward to debriefing you all after my return.

Sincerely,

Stéphanie Plante

Councillor

Ward 12 – Rideau-Vanier