QUESTION PERIOD — Health
Decriminalization of Drugs
May 7, 2024
Leader, it’s now been 11 days since the Government of British Columbia asked the Trudeau government for urgent help to stop the illegal use of hard drugs in public spaces such as hospitals, parks and transit. Minister Saks claimed last Wednesday that she was waiting for more information from the B.C. government before granting an exemption to the Trudeau government’s radical drug decriminalization program. However, B.C.’s Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions told the media it had received the request and responded with additional data that very same day.
Leader, what is taking so long? When will you act?
Thank you for the question because the government has acted. The federal government, I’ve just been advised, has approved B.C.’s request to recriminalize use of illicit drugs in public places. It took the time necessary to evaluate it, to discuss it internally. It has now taken action.
Adults will still be allowed to carry small amounts of illicit drugs and use them in private, but they could be arrested for using them in public. That’s the answer to your question.
Thank you for that response, but I still believe that it took far too long and that this drug policy has wreaked havoc in B.C. I hope your government will carefully consider what has happened in B.C. and look at what should not happen in other jurisdictions like Toronto.
This government is one that, in fact, learns from experience. In that regard, the Prime Minister announced, some days ago, it will continue to work with the appropriate jurisdictions — meaning the provinces and territories — and consider whatever requests they may make vis-à-vis adjustments to these particular laws.
