Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
National

Federal addictions minister says B.C public decriminalization reversal under review

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 29 Apr, 2024 02:17 PM
  • Federal addictions minister says B.C public decriminalization reversal under review

Ya'ara Saks noted Monday that the province is only a year into its three-year pilot project, which began in early 2023. 

To make it happen, Health Canada issued an exemption to federal drug laws decriminalizing possession of small amounts of certain illegal drugs, including heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine.

"We're still evaluating the data," the minister said.

But on Friday, B.C. Premier David Eby asked Health Canada to amend that exemption order to recriminalize the use of those drugs in public spaces such as hospitals and restaurants. 

While adults would still be allowed to use such drugs in private, they could be arrested for using them in public. 

The request followed months of backlash from residents, health-care workers, police and conservative politicians about the project's effect on public safety. 

Saks said she met with her provincial counterpart on Friday and the province's amendment request is under review.

"The overdose crisis, as I've said before and I say again, is a health crisis issue. It is not a criminal one," Saks told reporters. 

B.C. was the first jurisdiction in Canada to seek the decriminalization of small amounts of hard drugs.

The province declared drug-related overdose deaths to be a public-health emergency in 2016, and the crisis worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eby told reporters Monday that other jurisdictions can learn from its experience with decriminalization to date. 

He said there must be resources in place to address public drug use.

"There are important lessons to be learned on where we are to date, that don't need to be repeated," he said. 

"Addressing the public's concern around public use is critical to having their understanding about taking a health approach to addiction. Balancing those two things is core, and I hope other jurisdictions take that lesson and don't repeat our mistakes." 

Toronto has also requested an exemption from Health Canada. 

Toronto Public Health said in a statement that it is monitoring B.C's experience. It added that in its proposed model, public drug use would remain illegal. 

Ontario Premier Doug Ford repeated his call Monday for Toronto to drop that application.

Ford said he's spoken to Eby about how things have gone in B.C., and said "it's turned into a nightmare." 

Saks said Toronto's request is also under review, and each request for decriminalization will be treated individually.

"We work with jurisdictions on a case-by-case basis, making sure we have a full suite of tools available to help vulnerable populations. That includes prevention, that includes harm reduction, that includes treatment and it includes a full set of health considerations," she said.  

"It’s not an apples-to-apples situation and we continue to partner and work with jurisdictions."

More than 40,000 people have died from opioid-related deaths countrywide since 2016, when the Public Health Agency of Canada began collecting such data. 

The agency says 22 people die every day from toxic drug deaths, and fentanyl is the leading cause. Most of the deaths are in B.C., Ontario and Alberta.

Health officials and advocates for drug users warn the situation is only worsening, given an increasingly toxic supply of drugs. 

During question period on Monday, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre pressed the Liberal government on B.C.'s about-face.

And he is requesting an emergency debate on the issue in the House of Commons.

"Until Justin Trudeau's dangerous drug decriminalization policy is entirely dismantled, it will continue to cause death, chaos and carnage across Canada," he said in a letter to House of Commons Speaker Greg Fergus.

Poilievre has repeatedly called public drug use in cities like Vancouver a "dangerous experiment."

He charges that it fuels addiction, and pledges that a future Conservative government would pull out from harm reduction strategies and focus on recovery-oriented approaches instead.

Advocacy groups such as Moms Stop the Harm have asked to meet with Poilievre out of concern his proposal is ignoring evidence that harm-reduction strategies work to save lives.

Its co-founder spoke Monday at a parliamentary committee that has been studying the opioid epidemic. 

In a statement before her appearance, Petra Schulz said it has been "upsetting and infuriating" to see loved ones' deaths politicized with "misinformation and outright lies." 

"I urge members of Parliament to stop the angry, harmful and polarizing rhetoric and social-media posts, and to listen to people who use drugs when developing drug policy." 

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. home sales slide almost 10 per cent in March despite mortgage rate drop

B.C. home sales slide almost 10 per cent in March despite mortgage rate drop
Home sales in British Columbia fell by almost 10 per cent in March compared with the same period last year, in a slowdown an analyst says could be buyers waiting for lower interest rates. The B.C. Real Estate Association says the province saw 6,460 residential unit sales in the Multiple Listing Service systems last month, a 9.5-per-cent decline from March 2023.

B.C. home sales slide almost 10 per cent in March despite mortgage rate drop

Decades in the making, B.C. signs agreement handing over title to Haida Gwaii

Decades in the making, B.C. signs agreement handing over title to Haida Gwaii
The B.C. government and the Council of Haida Nation have signed an agreement officially recognizing Haida Gwaii's Aboriginal title, more than two decades after the nation launched a legal action seeking formal recognition. 

Decades in the making, B.C. signs agreement handing over title to Haida Gwaii

VPD investigate homicide of Chirag Antil

VPD investigate homicide of Chirag Antil
Vancouver police say they're investigating a suspected overnight homicide in the city's south end.  Police say they were called to a report of gun shots around 11 p.m. Friday at the intersection of East 55th Avenue and Main Street.  They say officers found the body of 24-year-old Chirag Antil in a vehicle. 

VPD investigate homicide of Chirag Antil

DNA tests shows B.C. woman was killed by dogs, not bear: coroner's report

DNA tests shows B.C. woman was killed by dogs, not bear: coroner's report
A woman killed while picking blueberries on a farm east of Vancouver was initially thought to have died in a bear attack in August 2021, but a newly released coroner's report says she was mauled by dogs from another property. The report says the dogs responsible for the death of 54-year-old Ping (Amy) Guo at a Pitt Meadows farm were only identified after their DNA was tested when another person died 17 months later at the neighbouring home.

DNA tests shows B.C. woman was killed by dogs, not bear: coroner's report

'Very smart' B.C. orca calf evades rescuers, forcing switch in tactics

'Very smart' B.C. orca calf evades rescuers, forcing switch in tactics
The team trying to rescue an orphaned killer whale trapped in a British Columbia lagoon says they will have to change tactics after being "truly humbled at the intelligence, adaptability and resilience" of the calf that managed to evade capture Friday. A statement issued by the Ehattesaht First Nation chief and council and the rescue team said they made the decision to stand down after the young orca "simply decided she was not ready to be moved."   

'Very smart' B.C. orca calf evades rescuers, forcing switch in tactics

Darpan Vaisakhi Special 2024

Darpan Vaisakhi Special 2024
Darpan's special Vaisakhi issue is out now. Read more about the month of Vaisakhi, find great recipes, explore activities for kids. The Darpan Magazine team was at the Vancouver Vaisakhi parade that took place on Saturday, April 13th, 2024. The parade started at the Ross Street Sikh Temple and proceeded along Main Street, and drew thousands of people from diverse backgrounds.

Darpan Vaisakhi Special 2024