Addictions Minister Ya’ara Saks says the federal government is still reviewing an appeal from British Columbia to scale back its pilot project decriminalizing illicit drug use in the province.
“We are reviewing the request for the exemption they put forward to us,” Ms. Saks told reporters on April 29.
When pressed by reporters on how quickly the government would respond, Ms. Saks said, “I only received the letter on Friday. It is under review with officials at this time.”
The province is a year into its three-year pilot project, which began in January 2023 when Health Canada issued an exemption to federal drug laws decriminalizing possession of up to 2.5 grams of certain illegal drugs, including heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
On April 26, 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, transit, and parks and give police the “tools” to stop public drug use.
“While we are caring and compassionate for those struggling with addiction, we do not accept street disorder that makes communities feel unsafe,” said Mr. Eby in a release. “We’re taking action to make sure police have the tools they need to ensure safe and comfortable communities for everyone as we expand treatment options so people can stay alive and get better.”
B.C.’s reversal comes after months of reports of public drug use in hospitals, bus stops, and parks across the province. Police, health-care workers, and municipal politicians have criticized the policy saying it has eroded public safety while doing little to curb drug abuse.
When Ms. Saks was asked by a reporter what Mr. Eby’s request said about the policy, she responded, “We have to look at this as a health-care crisis.”
What went wrong?” asked a reporter. “We are still evaluating the data and working with British Columbia,” replied Ms. Saks. She added that when it came to decriminalization of drugs, Ottawa was working with jurisdictions “on a case by case basis.”
