SoVote

Context: House Hansard - 314 - May/21/24

Mr. Alistair MacGregor (Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, NDP)

May/21/24 2:21:59 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, last week I joined the health committee during its two days in Vancouver as a part of its study into the toxic drug crisis. We met with people on the front lines: supervised consumption sites, overdose prevention, low-barrier housing, health care and recovery providers, law enforcement and the community court. We also met directly with people who use drugs, the very same people who are bearing the terrible and lethal impact of toxic street drugs. I learned a lot over those two days, especially about harm reduction and safe supply as necessary parts of a continuum of care with treatment and recovery. Unfortunately and shamefully, not one single Conservative MP showed up in Vancouver. Rather than learn and bear witness to evidence-informed policies on the toxic drug crisis, the Conservatives would rather embrace bumper-sticker politics and false narratives, and scapegoat the most vulnerable. The Liberal government has failed to meet the crisis with the urgency it demands, and the Conservatives are playing politics. All the while, people die.

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Context: House Hansard - 314 - May/21/24

Hon. Pierre Poilievre (Leader of the Opposition, CPC)

May/21/24 2:32:07 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Liberals think that one pays down debt by borrowing more, that one stops inflation by printing money and that one fights the drug overdose crisis by legalizing hard drugs, so at least they are consistent in their irrationality. Now they have been forced to backtrack right before the election on their legalization of hard drugs because Canadians are revolting against the policy. Today, we have a motion that will be voted on in the House to permanently ban hard drugs. Will the government vote for that motion, or will it admit that it plans to legalize drugs again after the next election?

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Context: House Hansard - 314 - May/21/24

Mr. Stephen Ellis (Cumberland—Colchester, CPC)

May/21/24 3:10:28 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after nine years of the NDP-Liberal coalition, Canadians are suffering with crime, chaos, drugs and disorder. The minister talks about evidence. What about the evidence from the BC Nurses' Union and its outcry to ban weapons and hard drugs inside of hospitals? What more science could there be than that? On this side of the House, the Conservatives announced our plan for tough penalties for weapons in hospitals and to not allow the minister to decriminalize or even legalize hard drugs. Why do we have to ask again? Will the Prime Minister make it illegal to smoke crack and meth in a hospital next to a baby?

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Context: House Hansard - 314 - May/21/24

Hon. Ya'ara Saks (Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, Lib.)

May/21/24 3:11:07 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I find it disappointing that the member across actually did not join the recent visit by the health committee to B.C. to speak to experts on the ground, an actual member of the committee. On this side of the House, we follow science, we follow medical experts and we follow the best, evidence-based practices in order to save lives. The war on drugs did not work then; it will not work now. We need compassion, evidence and science to guide us through this.

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Context: House Hansard - 314 - May/21/24

Mr. Ryan Williams

May/21/24 11:39:31 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I come from Belleville, Ontario, and we are at the centre of an opiate crisis right now. We have a major overdose epidemic. In the last three months, we had 240 overdoses. We had 13 in two hours. We had 23 in two days. As an MP, I have been working with the former Liberal member, the mayor of Belleville, Ontario. I have been working with and talking to community groups and those who are addicted and struggling, as well as police, paramedics and our hospitals. The problem we have is twofold. We talk about how the NDP has supported the government with bail reform, and the police are saying it does not work. The NDP has supported, especially in B.C., decriminalization, and these community groups are saying that does not work. One of the first things we can do is ensure we give the tools to the police and the community groups that make sure that the criminals who are dealing drugs go to jail and stay in jail, and that those who need help in treatment of addiction get the treatment of addiction so we can bring our loved ones home drug-free. However, most importantly, the NDP can defeat the government and call an election so we can have these issues come to the open, and we could bring a government back to Canadians that would fix these issues once and for all.

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Context: House Hansard - 314 - May/22/24

Mrs. Élisabeth Brière (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and to the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, Lib.)

May/22/24 12:14:38 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, the overdose crisis is one of the most serious and unprecedented public health threats in Canada's recent history, and it is impacting communities across the country. Our hearts go out to the individuals, families and friends affected by this public health crisis. As part of its holistic approach, our government is continuing to support efforts to divert people who use drugs away from the criminal justice system and towards health and social services. This approach reduces immediate harm and helps people find the right supports, including treatment and recovery, while keeping our communities safe. We have amended the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to encourage police and prosecutors to consider alternatives to charging and prosecuting individuals for drug possession offences. These amendments mean that individuals can avoid being criminalized and get the help they need to address underlying issues. This strategy encourages a public health approach while making sure that police have the discretion to move forward with criminal offences when there are risks to public safety. Furthermore, in August 2020, guidelines issued by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada directed prosecutors to consider alternatives to prosecution for the personal possession of drugs, except in the most serious cases where public safety concerns arise. In 2021, the Government of British Columbia requested the launch of a decriminalization pilot project to help address the overdose crisis in the province. B.C. has asked that we make amendments to its project, and we have granted B.C.'s request to prohibit possession of controlled substances in public spaces. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their communities. Law enforcement also needs to have the tools necessary to address issues of public safety while continuing to take a compassionate and public health approach. From the outset, we have been clear. B.C.'s exemption could and will be adjusted if needed. We will continue to work together and respond to what is actually working on the ground. We will continue working hand in hand with all of our partners, including provincial jurisdictions, law enforcement, indigenous communities, people with lived and living experience, and municipalities across this country every step of the way. There is no universal solution to this crisis. It requires a global response. We are ensuring that Canadians have access to a full range of options to help them access prevention, risk reduction, treatment and recovery services. These are services and support that they need, when and where they need them. It is not one or the other. We need a full continuum of care. Last week, I participated in the travelling study of the Standing Committee on Health on the overdose crisis. Every party was represented, except for the Conservatives, who came for just half a day because the Conservatives refuse to look at the evidence. They are bent on their ideological approach. Budget 2024 announced $150 million over three years to help the municipalities and first nations communities quickly access funding to mobilize efforts, respond to their urgent harm reduction needs and save lives immediately. This government remains committed to addressing substance use and addiction as a health issue. All partners must work together—

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