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House Hansard - 78

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 31, 2022 10:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 78 - May/31/22
Mr. Alexandre Boulerice (Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, NDP)
  • May/31/22 2:34:59 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we have just learned that the government has approved British Columbia's request to decriminalize drugs in small amounts. It took 27,000 overdose deaths in six years for the government to finally see reason. However, there are also families burying their loved ones in other provinces. My colleague from Courtenay—Alberni has introduced a bill that will be voted on tomorrow and that proposes a federal public health response. Will the government stop playing with people's lives and support our bill tomorrow? It is a matter of life and death.
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Context: House Hansard - 78 - May/31/22
Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)
  • May/31/22 2:35:34 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the opioid crisis has severely affected the families and communities of those we have lost to overdoses. Our approach follows other steps we have taken previously to address the opioid crisis, including investments of more than $800 million in community-led harm reduction, treatment and prevention initiatives. We also just approved British Columbia's request to decriminalize the personal possession of small amounts of certain illicit drugs in the province. We will continue to work with all provinces and jurisdictions to save lives and end this crisis.
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Context: House Hansard - 78 - May/31/22
Mr. Gord Johns (Courtenay—Alberni, NDP)
  • May/31/22 2:36:16 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government has finally approved British Columbia's request to decriminalize simple possession of controlled substances after dragging its feet for months. This is an important step to stop the harms of failed drug policy, but we are dealing with a national crisis. There are thousands of families burying their loved ones outside of B.C. Provincial and local governments should not have to fill the void of federal leadership. Lives are at stake. A patchwork approach is completely irresponsible. Will the government save lives by supporting my bill tomorrow for a national health-based approach to substance use?
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Context: House Hansard - 78 - May/31/22
Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)
  • May/31/22 2:36:57 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, our government recognizes that problematic substance use is a public health issue. We are working with partners to advance a multi-faceted health-based strategy to end the overdose and toxic drug supply crisis. That is why we have approved the B.C. proposal to decriminalize personal possession of small amounts of certain illegal drugs within the province. There is, of course, more to do, and we are taking action with a range of provinces and territories as well as other partners to end this ongoing tragedy. We know that we need to move forward on proper supports and that is what we are doing with B.C. We look forward to talking with other provinces about that as well.
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