The federal government says it is open to further decriminalizing small-scale possession of hard drugs in jurisdictions across the country, while conservatives say they support what they call a health-based approach to drug addiction.
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Carolyn Bennett said on Wednesday that while the government’s goal is to expand decriminalization, it must work with local governments and reflect reality in every part of the country.
Bennett made the remarks a day after announcing that, starting next year, BC Canadians 18 and older will be able to own small amounts of hard drugs with a special legal exemption.
“The four drugs in the plan in BC may not be the four drugs that another part of Canada would want in their application, so there are different local realities,” Bennett said.
TARGET | Will the government consider decriminalizing small-scale drug possession nationwide?
Will the government consider decriminalizing small-scale drug possession nationwide?
Mental Health and Addictions Minister Carolyn Bennett joins Power & Politics to discuss the government’s decision to grant a legal exemption to BC to decriminalize possession of small amounts of some illicit drugs.
This first-of-its-kind exemption will allow BC people to possess up to 2.5 grams combined of opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine or MDMA. It enters into force on January 31, 2023 and lasts until January 31, 2026, unless revoked or replaced earlier.
The exemption means that there will be no arrests, charges or confiscations for personal possession below the 2.5 gram threshold.
Vancouver and Toronto Public Health have filed similar waiver requests separately.
NPD leader Jagmeet Singh said on Tuesday that the deployment of decriminalization in BC alone leaves most Canadians with addictions to criminal prosecution, rather than the health-based approach to drug addiction that is offered in BC.
“It is shameful, frankly, not to take a national approach to a national crisis,” Singh said. “The prime minister must show leadership here. Today we can save lives.”
Singh called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to support NPD MP Gord Johns’ bill, which would extend decriminalization across the country. This bill was defeated on Wednesday.
We have to work with provinces: Trudeau
When Singh asked his question about Johns ’bill to Trudeau during the question period in the House of Commons on Tuesday, the prime minister said he supported the spirit of the legislation, but not its approach.
“By taking a nationwide approach to health, which is exactly the approach that needs to be taken, we need to work with the people who are really directing health care in each province,” Trudeau said.
“It means working with the provinces. It means working with the municipalities. It means working with front-line workers, and that’s exactly what we’ve done to move forward with BC, responsibly, to make sure there’s a frame around “.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended his government’s fragmented approach to drug decriminalization in the House of Commons on June 1, 2022. (Sean Kilpatrick / The Canadian Press)
During the day, Singh said the Johns bill would introduce a national strategy to ensure a safe supply of drugs and allow the elimination of criminal records associated with addictions that create stigma and make it difficult for drug users to recover. lives.
The HIV Legal Network said it also welcomed the changes to BC, but felt the federal government should have done more.
“It is disappointing that decriminalization under the model announced on May 31 does not protect all drug users from the harms of criminalization,” the group said in a statement.
“We support progress, but we dream bigger. We want total decriminalization for everyone.”
In BC we have de facto decriminalization: Conservative MP
Although he did not approve the decriminalization program in BC, Conservative MP Michael Barrett, the party’s health critic, said the government’s focus should be on replacing criminal sanctions for users with a grassroots approach. in health, although it is still aimed at traffickers.
“Canadians struggling with addiction deserve compassion, access to treatment and a path to recovery, and we believe the federal government should prioritize this care by expanding treatment and recovery programs so that they can get help,” he said. Barrett. “Our country’s drug laws should be aimed at individuals who traffic in and sell illegal drugs.”
Conservative MP Brad Vis, who represents the BC assembly of Mission – Matsqui – Fraser Canyon, said that while he supports a health approach, the move to decriminalize small-scale possession in BC is little more than a symbolic act. .
“In British Columbia we already have a de facto decriminalization,” he said. “Also, what is decriminalization doing, other than being symbolic when it is already the de facto process of our law enforcement and the Crown’s lawyer, imposing charges on British Columbia?”
Vis said he supports the move away from criminalization to a health-based approach to addiction, but only if that change comes with the “treatment and policy needed to get people to mental health and health.” they need it. “
Bennett said the BC exemption offer was successful because the proposal discussed how provinces would increase social services to deal with people with addictions deviating from the criminal justice system.