QUESTION PERIOD — Ministry of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
Opioid Crisis
November 26, 2024
Hello, minister. On September 19, the tribal council representing 14 First Nations on Vancouver Island declared a state of emergency due to the ongoing opioid crisis. The tribal council noted that First Nations people make up less than 4% of B.C.’s population but almost 20% of toxic drug deaths in the province. They also stated:
Generational trauma and the impacts of the residential school system continue to fracture First Nations communities. The need is great, and the barriers are many. The cries of mothers who have lost their children echo through these communities. . . .
Minister, since September 19, what specific actions has your government taken to provide meaningful and culturally appropriate help to these B.C. communities?
Thank you, senator. At the outset, let me just say that one of the most difficult conversations I have as I travel across the country, particularly in British Columbia, is about the opioid crisis and the drug crisis that we see in communities, which is disproportionately impacting First Nations in rural communities. It is just heartbreaking to see. As we speak, I know it is impacting people across the country.
In terms of the federal response — and I do note it is outside of my portfolio — as a whole-of-government approach, there is specific funding that is available to communities. I think there is $150 million through the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions.
Just this weekend, I was in Kuujjuaq, and I visited a healing lodge where there are up to 32 beds for a full-service program to help people with additions. Across Canada, we know that there are limited spaces that are available, but I am seeing progress in terms of the availability of resources. There is no doubt that we need to continue the work.
Yes, minister. You’re part of a government that has flooded B.C. communities with dangerous opioids. This disastrous policy has done nothing to reduce overdose deaths, and the high numbers are quite alarming.
Why do you believe your so-called safe supply of hard drugs is helping First Nations communities in my province? It certainly is not doing that.
Senator, I have a great deal of respect for you, and I know we worked together on a number of issues, but I do want to take issue with the position that we flooded the province with drugs. I think that is categorically false.
What we’re doing is taking multiple approaches based on what each jurisdiction has asked for. With respect to British Columbia, it is a response to what the Province of British Columbia had sought from the federal government.
We are here as partners for provinces because we’re not the ones providing the services nor the front-line work, so I do want to just set the record straight, senator.
