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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
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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Hon. Ya'ara Saks
  • May/29/24 9:53:15 p.m.
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Madam Chair, we continue to work with law enforcement and jurisdictions to ensure that diversion is mitigated.
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Mrs. Tracy Gray
  • May/29/24 9:53:22 p.m.
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Madam Chair, has the minister given any directives at all to stop these illicit drugs from getting into the hands of children?
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Hon. Ya'ara Saks
  • May/29/24 9:53:29 p.m.
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Madam Chair, we are working closely with public safety and criminal justice partners to ensure that diversion is mitigated.
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Mrs. Tracy Gray
  • May/29/24 9:53:38 p.m.
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Madam Chair, I think we should take that as a no. September 2023, the minister received a letter from 17 addiction medicine doctors who said, “We are regularly seeing and hearing in our practices that diverted hydromorphone is causing harm to both adults and children.” Does the minister agree with that statement?
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Hon. Ya'ara Saks
  • May/29/24 9:53:56 p.m.
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Madam Chair, I have both met and received letters from experts on their concerns, and this is why we have listened to them and taken their advice, and also listened to other experts to ensure that we create programs with jurisdictions that are safe.
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