QUESTION PERIOD — Health
Opioid Overdose Crisis
June 26, 2025
Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. In 2024, overdose deaths increased by 33% in Quebec. Two people now die every day from this scourge. Emergency room visits related to opioid poisoning have also increased by 38%. These figures show how slow, reactive and policy-driven Ottawa’s response has been, with no real accountability.
Why has the government failed to implement a clear national strategy to address the opioid crisis in Quebec, a strategy aimed at meaningfully reducing the number of overdoses, not just managing them?
Thank you for the question. Thank you also for highlighting not only the importance of this issue, but also the great tragedy of deaths caused by the use of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs. The Government of Canada has put in place an extremely important plan to ensure more robust protection at our borders against the importation of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs. Recent statistics show a decline in the use of these drugs in Canada.
That said, every life is precious, and every life lost to opioid use is a tragedy that we must all denounce.
Senator Gold, the government’s failure in this area is truly unbelievable. How can you guarantee that the government is actually committed to working with Quebec to go beyond empty words and implement an effective, results-oriented response? We need a strategy that includes better monitoring, enforcement of the rules and real investment in treatment and recovery.
The Government of Canada is working with the Government of Quebec and other provinces and territories, within their health care jurisdiction and other areas, to ensure that Canadians, including Quebecers, are protected. The government will continue its efforts in this regard.
