Toronto continues drug decriminalization goal despite B.C. pushback

The Queen City made a request to Health Canada in 2022 and is still awaiting a response. On Tuesday, however, the federal Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Ya’ara Saks, declared that this file was inactive.

The original request was sent two years ago […] and it was insufficient at that time, explained Minister Saks at a press briefing in Ottawa. The Toronto MP did not want to specify what was sufficient.

In an interview on the CBC show Metro Morning, Thursday morning, Dr. Eileen de Villa had a somewhat different interpretation of the situation. Discussions are taking place between the City and Health Canada, she said.

Have we answered all the questions to the best of our ability? Absolutely.

Minister Saks also did not say whether approval from Ontario Premier Doug Ford was necessary to grant the exemption to the City of Toronto. Progressive Conservative leader says he opposes Toronto’s request (new window).

In the House on Thursday, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Michael Tibollo said decriminalization in Toronto would be a delayed disaster. This is a reckless plan that will harm public safetyhe continued.

A crisis to resolve

Public health official says Toronto will learn from B.C.’s experience.

In April, the government of this western Canadian province asked Health Canada to make it illegal to use illicit drugs in public. This week, Ottawa accepted the request (new window) which modified the exemption obtained to decriminalize the possession of a certain quantity of hard drugs.

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Effectively, under this change, adult British Columbians can only possess a small quantity of illicit drugs in a designated health center, shelter or private residence.

Dr. Eileen de Villa says that majority of overdose-related deaths in Toronto occur in private residences. Toronto Public Health also clarified to Radio-Canada that the consumption of illicit drugs in public will remain illegal if it obtains authorization from Health Canada.