Pierre Poilievre weighs in on BC NDP plan to recriminalize public drug use
B.C.’s plan to reverse course on a major part of its decriminalization plan has triggered swift and sweeping reaction.
Last Friday, Premier David Eby announced the NDP requested that Ottawa recriminalize public use of hard drugs, giving police powers to seize drugs or arrest those threatening public safety.
It was a response to increasing concerns about illicit drug use in public, including in hospitals, which triggered escalating political pressure and a heated debate that continued to play out on the floor of the B.C. Legislature on Monday.
“Will the premier scrap this entire decriminalization mess today? And if not, why not?” demanded BC United leader Kevin Falcon during question period.
Meanwhile, in Ottawa, Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said the proposed plan doesn’t go far enough and pushed for an emergency debate on the issue of decriminalization in Parliament.
“Even nurses are having to give up on breastfeeding because they’re worried their kids will be contaminated with drugs they breathe in. What the hell they thinking over there?” said Poilievre.
Eby responded Monday to Poilievre’s comments.
“To the extent that we can avoid politicizing this health crisis, the better off we're going to be. We're all looking for solutions to keep people alive,” he said.
Eby did acknowledge other jurisdictions, like Toronto, that are considering decriminalization could learn from B.C.'s stumbles, and should consider the importance of balancing public concern about public drug use with managing addiction as a health issue.
“Balancing those two things is core and I hope other jurisdictions take our lessons and don’t repeat our mistakes,” he said.
For harm reduction advocates, like Moms Stop the Harm’s Leslie McBain, the province's push to eliminate public drug use is a major step back that will cost lives.
“They will be hiding out and more deaths will happen. It's quite distressing for a lot of reasons,” she said.
The province says it expects to hear back from Ottawa about recriminalizing public drug use soon.
More than 14,000 people have died since B.C. declared a public health emergency over the toxic drug supply in 2016.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW What a wildfire survivor says she regrets not grabbing before leaving home
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
World No. 1 golfer charged with police officer assault before PGA Championship second round
World number one golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested and charged with the assault of a police officer in what he called a 'chaotic situation' before being released in time to start his second round at the PGA Championship on Friday.
WATCH Infectious disease expert warns measles 'a very real threat'
A Canadian epidemiologist is warning the measles presents a 'very real threat' to public health if Canada doesn't maintain a high vaccination rate.
Judge considers dismissing indictment against Alec Baldwin in fatal shooting of cinematographer
A New Mexico judge is considering Alec Baldwin's request to dismiss a grand jury indictment against him at a virtual court hearing Friday.
LIVE @ 11:30 MT Four 1970s homicides linked to serial killer, Alberta Mounties to reveal Friday
A dead serial sexual offender and killer has been linked to four homicides in the 1970s in Alberta, RCMP say.
With today's high rates, should you consider an interest-free halal mortgage?
A halal mortgage complies with the Islamic religious, or Shariah, law, which forbids the use of 'riba' (interest). Here's what mortgage experts say those considering 'no-interest' halal mortgages should know.
Top whisky, rum and gin brands could pull products from LCBO amid pricing dispute
A group that represents a long list of spirit brands is warning that some popular products could be pulled from the Ontario market amid a multi-million dollar dispute with the LCBO.
4 dead after Houston storms cause widespread damage, major blackouts
Power outages could last weeks in parts of Houston after thunderstorms with hurricane-force winds tore through the city, an official said Friday, knocking out electricity to nearly 1 million homes and businesses.
60 years on, Tim Hortons is synonymous with Canada, but still chasing growth
When Tim Hortons rang in the new year, it marked the occasion with a nod to its humble roots, bringing back a quartet of doughnuts, including some from its earliest days.