Following British Columbia’s
announcement to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of illicit drugs for personal use, federal Justice Minister David Lametti said currently there won’t be a “larger discussion” on decriminalization across the country.
Lametti made the remarks just before Parliament is expected to vote on an
NDP private member’s bill on a nationwide decriminalization of personal possession of illicit drugs on June 1.
On May 31, the B.C. government said the exemption is part of the response to an overdose crisis in the province. It applies to all adult residents in B.C. who are in possession of up to 2.5 grams of
certain illegal drugs, such as opioids (including heroin, morphine, and fentanyl), cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA. The exemption will be effective from Jan. 31, 2023, to Jan. 31, 2026, according to
a statement released on May 31.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government will not seek to decriminalize such illicit drug possessions in other jurisdictions without putting “the system and supports in place.”
He said Ottawa’s decision to decriminalize possession of small amounts of illicit drugs in B.C. was to offer other ways to support people. The province also takes a similar approach through
projects that “expand access to prescribed safer supply [of illicit drugs],” which the B.C. government said will help separate people from the poisoned illicit drug supply.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, however, said on May 31 that the federal government’s decision is a “slippery slope” and is counterproductive to solving the problems of illicit drugs and helping people recover from addiction.
Kenney said other provinces should have been consulted first, particularly next door in Alberta. He said the move also violates a promise from Trudeau to not undertake such action.
Conservative MP Brad Vis, who represents B.C.’s Mission−Matsqui−Fraser Canyon riding,
told reporters on June 1 that a blanket decriminalization won’t “change the province” without addressing the underlying mental health problem that is leading more and more Canadians to turn to drugs.
“What we do lack in B.C. right now is adequate facilities to give people compassionate treatment, what we do lack is an effective federal mental health strategy, what we do lack is sufficient homes where people have a safe place to live and to recover,” Vis said.
“So we have to keep public safety in mind, we have to keep recovery in mind, we have to keep human dignity in mind.”
The Canadian Press contributed to this article.
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