Toronto’s Drug Decriminalization Pursuit Could Hinge on Province’s Support, Trudeau Hints

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a press conference in Oakville, Ont., on April 24, 2024. The Canadian Press/Cole Burston

Toronto may be seeking federal permission to decriminalize illegal drugs, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hinted the city may need broader support from the Ontario government, which currently rejects the proposal.

Ottawa needs to work with “all partners, including provinces” on any decriminalization proposals, Mr. Trudeau told reporters during a May 3 press conference in Hamilton, Ont.

“The proposal in British Columbia of a few years ago also had a proposal from the city of Vancouver,” Mr. Trudeau said, adding that the proposal required health and public safety supports. “We couldn’t just deal with the Vancouver application, we needed to work with the province on that.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has rejected the idea of decriminalizing hard drugs in Toronto and earlier this week called the policy a “nightmare” in places where it has already been put into practice.

Instead, the premier argued, governments should be focused on treatment and investment in mental health.

“That’s what we should be doing, not legalizing hard drugs,” he said. “Like you got to be kidding me. Like letting people do cocaine and crack and heroin.”

“I will fight this tooth and nail. This is the wrong way to go. It’s proven,” the premier added, citing examples of drug decriminalization in both British Columbia and the U.S. state of Oregon.

B.C.’s drugs pilot program was expected to last until 2025, but the NDP-led government under Premier David Eby has announced a U-turn in the policy and has requested the federal government approve measures to make drug use and possession illegal in public areas.

The change in policy came after the concerns of municipal leaders and provincial politicians were echoed by the general public about people being allowed to use drugs in public spaces, including the province’s hospitals.

Drug decriminalization in B.C. has also not had more positive than negative outcome, according to RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald and Vancouver Police Deputy Chief Fiona Wilson, who both testified before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health last month.

The prime minister was asked during the May 3 press conference if the federal government would grant B.C.’s request for a ban on drug use in public spaces.

“We have from the very beginning worked closely with the government of British Columbia as they wanted to move forward on a pilot project,” Mr. Trudeau said.

“We’ve continued to work with them, as they are asking to modify that pilot project, we will do so in alignment with them and work with them on making sure that it’s done right.”