QUESTION PERIOD — Health
Decriminalization of Drugs
May 1, 2024
Senator Gold, five days later, it is frankly shocking that the Trudeau government still hasn’t granted British Columbia’s request to recriminalize the use of hard drugs, such as crack and heroin, in public spaces. It is the second time in recent months that B.C.’s NDP government has sought changes to this failed drug policy.
In September, the Trudeau government amended its program when B.C. asked for help to keep drugs away from places where young children play, including outdoor playgrounds, wading pools and skate parks.
Leader, why is your government doubling down on this policy now? Will you agree to B.C.’s request today?
Thank you for your question.
As I said yesterday, my understanding of the request of the B.C. government with regard to this pilot program that they requested be put into place was not that they recriminalize the drugs but simply that they adjust the terms of the pilot project to limit — if not prohibit — the consumption of such drugs in certain public places.
As the minister announced, this is a matter she is considering seriously, and properly so. This is a three-year program that the provincial government requested along with the Government of Canada. It’s only one year into the program, so I just cannot accept the premise, and I certainly cannot give a guarantee that any decision will be made today. However, it is being looked at seriously and properly, as the minister announced.
Leader, I’m not sure how to qualify the actions of your government in this regard, but “urgent” is certainly not one of them. Last Friday, the B.C. government stated that it needed the Trudeau government to urgently change its decriminalization policy.
Leader, how much longer will this take? Where is the common sense needed to protect B.C. communities from the destruction and chaos caused by the public use of hard drugs?
Thank you for your question.
The Government of Canada was responsive to the B.C. government’s concerns about creating a safer environment for those who are, unfortunately, dependent upon these hard drugs. That is the purpose of this pilot program, and it was the belief of both the British Columbia government and the Canadian government that it was an experiment worth doing in order to save lives. It will continue to be responsive to the requests of the Government of British Columbia and will work with them going forward.
