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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 320

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 29, 2024 02:00PM
Context: House Hansard - 320 - May/29/24
Mr. Garnett Genuis
  • May/29/24 9:49:13 p.m.
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Madam Chair, we put forward a motion at the government operations committee asking for any contracts to which the federal government is a party. The Liberals have been filibustering to block the release of those contracts. If no contracts existed, I suspect Liberals would not be motivated to filibuster to block their release. Will the minister agree to release any contracts to which the federal government is a party, involving these drug programs?
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Hon. Ya'ara Saks
  • May/29/24 9:49:39 p.m.
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Madam Chair, federal funding toward prescribed alternative programs goes to the operations of the programs themselves. As I have said, contracts with pharmaceutical companies for prescribed medications are between the province and those pharmaceutical companies. We support the implementation of programs.
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Mr. Garnett Genuis
  • May/29/24 9:50:00 p.m.
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Madam Chair, there have been 12 meetings with a heroin-selling company. The government is refusing to release contracts involving the Government of Canada and corporate drug dealers. Why will the minister not tell us what was discussed in those meetings, and why is the minister sitting on these contracts?
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Hon. Ya'ara Saks
  • May/29/24 9:50:18 p.m.
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Madam Chair, as I have stated, but I will repeat for the benefit of the committee, contracts such as these are between provinces and these companies.
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Mrs. Tracy Gray (Kelowna—Lake Country, CPC)
  • May/29/24 9:50:39 p.m.
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Madam Chair, my questions are for the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. The minister's department approved an open drug use policy in public places, including parks and playgrounds in British Columbia, in 2023. Does the minister believe children seeing drug usage normalizes drug usage for children?
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Hon. Ya'ara Saks (Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, Lib.)
  • May/29/24 9:50:56 p.m.
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Madam Chair, we are committed to a compassionate approach to this public health crisis that is clearly anchored in public safety as well, but we need to understand that those who use drugs need to be directed to health care. Families and communities have a right to be safe wherever they are, parks—
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The Deputy Chair
  • May/29/24 9:51:14 p.m.
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The hon. member for Kelowna—Lake Country.
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Mrs. Tracy Gray
  • May/29/24 9:51:17 p.m.
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Madam Chair, does the minister believe illicit drug supplies left in parks and playgrounds increases the risk of accidental overdoses of minors?
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Hon. Ya'ara Saks
  • May/29/24 9:51:26 p.m.
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Madam Chair, we are moving through this public health crisis with a strict lens on public safety and public health, and we will work with jurisdictions.
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Mrs. Tracy Gray
  • May/29/24 9:51:36 p.m.
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Madam Chair, the minister has confirmed tonight that the leading cause of death of children and teens, sadly, in British Columbia in 2023 is illicit drug toxicity, correct?
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Hon. Ya'ara Saks
  • May/29/24 9:51:49 p.m.
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Madam Chair, yes, the toxic drug supply is costing us many lives in many communities, and it is absolutely tragic.
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Mrs. Tracy Gray
  • May/29/24 9:51:59 p.m.
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Madam Chair, in Campbell River, a major drug seizure was reported in February 2024 of having hydromorphone pills, with evidence suggesting they were diverted from government-funded supply. Did the minister ask for a briefing on this?
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Hon. Ya'ara Saks
  • May/29/24 9:52:13 p.m.
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Madam Chair, as I have stated before, both in the House and in this committee, the RCMP, based on the most recent data, has shown that there has been no increase in hydromorphone diversion in Canada over the last decade.
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Mrs. Tracy Gray
  • May/29/24 9:52:27 p.m.
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Madam Chair, is the minister concerned about diversion of government-funded drugs like this to children?
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Hon. Ya'ara Saks
  • May/29/24 9:52:33 p.m.
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Madam Chair, I think we are all concerned about diversion because it is illegal.
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Mrs. Tracy Gray
  • May/29/24 9:52:39 p.m.
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Madam Chair, is the minister aware that the drug seizure in Campbell River had fentanyl powder moulded into the shape of gummy bears and dinosaurs?
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Hon. Ya'ara Saks
  • May/29/24 9:52:48 p.m.
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Madam Chair, all diversion is illegal and extremely concerning. This is why law enforcement is a key pillar of our strategy.
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Mrs. Tracy Gray
  • May/29/24 9:52:59 p.m.
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Madam Chair, does the minister not think these were targeting children?
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Hon. Ya'ara Saks
  • May/29/24 9:53:03 p.m.
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Madam Chair, all diversion is illegal. We are concerned for all our children
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Mrs. Tracy Gray
  • May/29/24 9:53:10 p.m.
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Madam Chair, is the minister taking action to stop these drugs from getting into the hands of children?
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