Residents in the Parkdale neighborhood of west Toronto have expressed ongoing concerns about illegal drug activity surrounding a local injection site. Their worries intensified following a meeting called by Angela Robertson, executive director of the Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, on July 17. The meeting aimed to address community issues, including a troubling video of a fight in a nearby park, which was observed by a member of the site's security firm.

On the morning of the meeting, at least ten residents discovered the phrase "NIMBY NEIGHBORHOOD" spray-painted on their sidewalks, with arrows pointing to their homes. This graffiti appeared to be an attempt to intimidate residents who might voice their concerns about the injection site. During the meeting, activists disrupted the proceedings, limiting residents' opportunities to express their grievances. In response, the residents formed a group called Residents for a Safe Parkdale, deciding to escalate their concerns beyond the health center.

The group sent a letter to federal, provincial, and municipal politicians, as well as oversight bodies and senior police officials. They included specific examples of ongoing issues around the injection site, supported by photographic evidence. These issues included public drug use, drug dealing, violence, and property damage. Initially, Robertson attributed the drug activity to broader societal problems but faced pressure from the residents to take responsibility.

Residents for a Safe Parkdale continued to document the situation, sending additional photos and videos to support their claims. Their concerns were echoed in a report by a Canadian news outlet, which detailed witnessing a drug deal in the health center's park. The health center had previously promised a "zero-tolerance" policy towards drug dealing but had not enforced it effectively.

In late August, Robertson announced the installation of temporary fencing around the park. Shortly after, signs appeared on the inside of the fence, one of which read, "DANGER DUE TO: Violent Displacement by NIMBYs." The residents demanded the removal of these signs and requested access to security footage to identify who had placed them, suspecting staff from the injection site. Although the signs were eventually taken down, the security footage was not provided.

By September, the situation in Parkdale had gained national attention. Other cities, such as Smithers, B.C., and Barrie, Ont., declared states of emergency due to public disorder linked to the fentanyl crisis. In Montreal, residents received funding to pursue class-action lawsuits against local governments for failing to address crime and disorder related to drug addiction and homelessness. Additionally, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew canceled a proposed injection site in Winnipeg after residents expressed frustration over crime in their area.

In downtown Toronto, a condo association filed a $2.3 million lawsuit against a neighboring drop-in center, citing aggressive and violent behavior from its residents. Luisa Sotomayor, an associate professor at the University of Toronto, commented on the situation, highlighting the broader implications of the ongoing crisis in urban areas.