Photo: The Canadian Press
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, David Lametti, rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, May 16, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS / Patrick Doyle
Federal Liberals on Wednesday faced calls for a national approach to decriminalization amid rising death toll from opioid crisis, though House of Commons voted against NDP bill to allow drugs for personal use nationwide.
After the rejection of the bill was announced, someone could be heard in the chamber shouting, “Shame!”
Next year, British Columbia will join a handful of jurisdictions around the world where drug users will not face charges for owning small amounts of some illicit drugs for personal use.
“At this stage there is no broader debate on decriminalization,” Federal Justice Minister David Lametti told reporters in Ottawa on Wednesday, noting that the issue is in the health portfolio, not justice.
Asked in French if Ottawa should take a pan-Canadian approach instead of considering applications for individual jurisdictions, Lametti replied that the government should look at it, but it is not doing so right now.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appeared to leave the door a little open on Wednesday, saying the federal government will not pursue decriminalization with other jurisdictions without putting “the system and supports in place.”
Trudeau said the government has taken this approach with BC by building capacity and offering many ways to support people, such as projects that provide a secure supply of illicit drugs.
Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, left the door even wider.
He said the government will monitor the development of decriminalization in BC to see if it achieves its intended goals “for both public safety and public health.”
NDP MP Gord Johns said on Wednesday that the federal government has a chance to pass its private member’s bill, which would amend the Drugs and Controlled Substances Act to decriminalize personal drug possession throughout the world. Canada.
Johns, who is the party’s critic for mental health and addictions, said the toxicity of the drug supply is taking a toll on Canadian life.
“I hope they do the right thing,” Johns said.
“Otherwise, they will have blood on their hands.”
Bennett said once the BC plan is implemented and the results can be evaluated, the federal government will be able to respond to any “unintended consequences.”
“I think all other jurisdictions will be interested in learning from the BC experience,” Bennett said.
Not all provinces were seizing the opportunity.
Alberta Prime Minister Jason Kenney said Tuesday that he is concerned about the federal government’s decision to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of illegal drugs in BC.
The Manitoba government also said Tuesday that it will not follow BC’s example.
Quebec Prime Minister François Legault said on Wednesday that the province has no plans to pursue decriminalization, adding that the government does not believe it is necessary.
On Wednesday, the Saskatchewan government said it was not considering a decision to criminally release substances such as methamphetamine and cocaine.
“The potential long-term effects of the decriminalization of illicit drugs on public safety are unknown. Our government is focused on ensuring that treatment services are available to help people with substance abuse problems. to access the recovery, “he said in a statement.
New Brunswick Health Minister Dorothy Shephard said she was interested in what BC had done, but it was too early to comment. His province has been working to help people affected by the drug crisis instead of criminalizing them, he said.
During the campaign in Ontario, the New Democrats said they would work with Ottawa to decriminalize drugs for personal use if elected, but the Liberals are not considering a similar move. Conservative progressives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Separately, Toronto City Council has asked Ottawa to allow it to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of drugs.
Trudeau said in past years that the federal government would not pursue decriminalization as an option to deal with the toxic drug crisis and opioid overdoses.
Conservative MP Brad Vis, who represents the BC assembly of Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon, said he did not believe decriminalization would fix the crisis in the province without also improving access to addiction treatments and supports. for mental health.
BC’s three-year exemption from federal drug laws means that people with small amounts of illicit drugs for personal use will not be confiscated by the police.
Vis said the province already had a “de facto decriminalization,” in which most police officers did not arrest people for mere possession, nor did the Crown file charges against those individuals.