SoVote

Jun/3/24 12:56:03 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, if the bill were addressing those things, then so be it. However, there are far more questions than answers when it comes to access to drugs that Canadians already have and working with provinces. When it comes to ensuring that Canadians have access to the care they need, the bill would cost a lot and deliver little. At the rate a which the Liberals have expounded upon failure, we see that Canadians should certainly not have high expectations when it comes to being able to deliver their basics. I would simply say this: When the Liberals peacock about all their promises, they never talk about deliverables, because they have so little to show for all the dollars they have spent.

122 words

Context: House Hansard - 323 - Jun/3/24

Mr. Mark Gerretsen

Jun/3/24 4:09:35 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, with respect to the first part of her question, the member should know that there is already a program in place that specifically deals with rare diseases and the drugs associated with them. That angle of it is actually already covered. With respect to her question about shortages, this is exactly why a national program like this, where we could purchase in bulk, makes sense. Companies that supply and that bid on bulk sales would know exactly what the demands would be based on what the government is asking for. They would also be helped to be able to produce the devices and drugs. It does not take somebody who has been in business a long time to understand that when they have a customer, such as a government that asks for a certain product, or they get into a contract to manufacture a certain product, they will have to start delivering that product. I think we would steer away from the shortage problems.

166 words

Context: House Hansard - 323 - Jun/3/24

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.)

Jun/3/24 9:26:52 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, from the outset, I would like to assure everyone that we are deeply concerned about the overdose crisis and its consequences on the lives of so many people in the country. Every loss of life is tragic and we must do everything in our power to help people and save lives. Substance use and addictions are health issues first and foremost and should be treated as such. People need health care, not jail. The war on drugs did not work decades ago, and it still does not work today. This crisis is constantly evolving, so we need to change our course of action, take innovative action, monitor those actions closely and track the data to figure out what is working. Our approach is responsive and adaptable. We owe it to Canadians to do everything in our power to keep them alive and help them. Liberals are committed to continuing to work with and support provinces and territories to find solutions to meet their specific needs in order for them to offer timely services to their population. That is why we are continuing to work closely with the Province of British Columbia and to support its comprehensive response to the overdose crisis. Let us talk about what this exemption does and does not do. This exemption does not legalize drugs and never has. Under B.C.'s exemption, the sale, production and distribution of regulated substances remains illegal. What the exemption actually does is enable the province to focus on a health-based response, where people are encouraged to seek out health and social services, rather than being arrested and charged with personal possession of small amounts of illegal substances. The stigma associated with criminal prosecution is still a barrier to care. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to this crisis. A complex health and social issue requires a multi-faceted response. That is why we continue to support the provinces and territories in strengthening health care services so that they are available when and where people need them. In the 2024 budget, we announced $150 million over three years for an emergency treatment fund to help municipalities and indigenous communities quickly access funds so they can mobilize efforts and meet their urgent needs in order to save lives now. Our actions are comprehensive, equitable, collaborative and compassionate, and are guided by our federal Canadian drugs and substances strategy. This all-of-government approach includes access to a full range of strategies to help people access prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery services, and the supports they need when and where they need them. We will continue to work closely with our partners on a range of actions to prevent substance use, reduce harm, support people in their treatment journey and keep communities safe. What we have been hearing from the Conservatives' side is dehumanizing. They are basically saying that we need to clean up the streets because these people are a bother. On this side of the House, we are here to help people who use drugs. Becoming addicted was not their choice. They did not wake up one morning and decide that they were going to start using drugs. The important thing is to give them a range of options so that they can find their way forward and resolve their problem, which is not a criminal justice issue, but a mental health issue.

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Context: House Hansard - 323 - Jun/3/24

Mrs. Élisabeth Brière

Jun/3/24 9:32:08 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, clearly, we have to do everything in our power to save lives and reduce risks, while keeping communities safe and fighting drug trafficking and organized crime. Our government is focused on supporting a full range of services and supports to address the diverse needs of people who use drugs, as well as enforcement efforts to protect our communities. We are in the midst of a crisis where people are dying. This is not the time to be pitting harm reduction against treatment. We need both at the same time, and the evidence clearly demonstrates that. People who need and are ready for treatment must have access to it when and where they need it. Those who are not ready or cannot access treatment need harm reduction options to stay alive. Without harm reduction services, more people will die.

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