QUESTION PERIOD — Justice
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
October 31, 2024
Leader, your NDP-Liberal government gave its blessing for a centre located next to a school for young children in Montreal to become a so-called safe consumption site for hard drugs. According to Montreal’s police service, crime in the neighbourhood around that site has increased by 800% since it opened in April. As well, 9-1-1 calls for assaults and fighting within 100 metres of this site have increased by a whopping 1,800%, leader.
A group of residents told La Presse on Wednesday, “Concentrating crime near a primary school is not only incomprehensible, but unacceptable.”
Leader, what is your response — not to me, leader, but to the families who live nearby? Do you agree with them?
The moms and dads and kids.
It is very concerning to hear what you have reported. Again, this government’s position and the position of other provincial governments vis-à-vis the benefits of these sites are not really the subject of your question, and I won’t comment further.
I’ll certainly look into this matter and raise this with the minister because I’m not aware of the details or the specifics of the neighbourhood or the school to which you refer.
Leader, these families in Montreal are not talking points or slogans, as you like to say we always refer to. They are concerned about small children witnessing violence, drug overdoses and indecent acts. They want the crime and chaos next to their primary school to stop. Your government, leader, has the power under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to do this. Will you do so?
Senator Plett, I said nothing, nor did I imply anything about your question being a talking point. I simply said that it is concerning — the issues that you raised. I’m not aware of the details, and I’ll raise them with the relevant minister at the first opportunity.
