Most of Canada’s main federal parties have voiced support during the election campaign for removing criminal penalties for simple drug possession and offering safer alternatives to street-level drugs as overdose deaths reach record-high levels across the country.
While no party has made the overdose crisis a focus, the NDP and Greens have included decriminalization and safe supply in their platforms. The Liberals have not, with leader Justin Trudeau only saying that his government would work with community partners interested in those actions.
The Conservatives, for their part, have embraced a recovery-focused approach that some experts say would fall short of alleviating the escalating crisis.
The Tories, if elected Sept. 20, have promised to invest $325 million over three years to create 1,000 residential drug treatment beds and build 50 recovery communities across Canada. Leader Erin O’Toole has said his government would allow supervised consumption sites as it shifts away from harm reduction and toward recovery.
Elaine Hyshka, an assistant professor of public health at the University of Alberta, fears a Conservative government would restrict access to harm reduction supports while recovery takes centre stage.
“I’d issue a really significant caution against adopting the (Conservative) platform as national policy. We have seen basically a replica of that policy already implemented in Alberta and we have never had more people dying here,” says Hyshka.
Hundreds of deaths
More than 2,500 Albertans have died by accidental drug overdoses since the province’s United Conservative Party took power in April 2019 and implemented a recovery-based approach to the opioid crisis.
Under Premier Jason Kenney, Alberta has limited access to a life-saving opioid dependency program and supervised drug-use sites. Kenney has often touted investments in addictions treatment and recovery centres.
“Handing somebody who’s deep in addiction a needle is not a continuum of care. I don’t even think it’s terribly compassionate to facilitate addiction rather than to offer a full spectrum of services for recovery and lifetime treatment,” Kenney said in July 2020.
However, Hyshka said the reality is that most people who use substances on a given day are not ready, willing or able to access treatment services for a variety of reasons.
A spokesman for the federal Conservatives said in a statement that the opioid crisis is a national emergency that has robbed too many Canadians of their lives and devastated too many families.
“That’s why Canada’s Conservatives will treat the opioid epidemic as the urgent health issue that it is,” said Mathew Clancy.
“Only a Conservative government will ensure recovery is the overarching goal for the federal framework on substance abuse and get those struggling with addiction the help they need.”
The party also plans to expand distribution of naloxone, a medicine used to temporarily reverse overdoses, and enhance culturally appropriate treatment services for Indigenous communities.
Decriminalizing drug use
Dr. Mark Tyndall, a professor at the University of British Columbia’s School of Population and Public Health, says the plan “can resonate with the general public” but is an “unworkable and unproven” response.
Tyndall says all parties need to address the core issue — highly toxic street drugs — with safe supply programs, which provide legal and regulated drugs as an alternative to street substances.
“The three pillars I think of are: safe supply as a direct response to the poisoned drug supply, decriminalization to destigmatize drug use and then where we put our priorities with policing,” says Tyndall.
Decriminalization means criminal penalties for personal drug use and possession would be lifted.
O’Toole, during a campaign stop in British Columbia last month, stopped short of committing to decriminalization.
“People with addiction should not be the focus of the criminal justice system. People that are dealing and preying on people with addiction should be the focus,” said O’Toole.
“We would like to see more judicial discretion to get more treatment options for people with addictions.”
The New Democratic Party, Green Party and Bloc Quebecois — all of which held seats before dissolution — said in statements to The Canadian Press that they support decriminalization. Both the Greens and New Democrats also committed to safe supply.
Although the Liberal platform fails to mention either approach, Trudeau has said his government would continue to work with community partners pursuing those solutions.
“(Safe supply) is certainly something we have invested in and will continue to stand for,” Trudeau said during an announcement on mental health commitments.
“We’ve seen a number of provinces particularly British Columbia, very interested in moving forward on some forms of decriminalization and we are absolutely open to working with them.”
The Liberals would also amend the Criminal Code to repeal relevant mandatory minimum drug-related penalties. And they are promising to spend $25 million on a public education campaign to reduce stigma and $500 million for evidence-based treatment.
Addressing overdose crisis
Hyshka says the NDP and Greens are most aligned with evidence on the issue.
Both parties said they would declare a public health emergency to address the overdose crisis. The NDP also said it would launch an investigation into the role drug companies played in fuelling the epidemic.
“They’re recognizing that innovation is really critical if we want to end this historically unprecedented crisis that we’re in,” says Hyshka. “Just doing the status quo is not going to be effective in reducing deaths.”
Health Canada data says more than 21,000 Canadians have died from opioid-related overdoses since 2016. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, fatalities have reached record-high levels, with about 17 people dying per day last year.
All parties have promised support for measures ranging from harm reduction, including supervised consumption sites, to recovery.
Moe is set to speak in the city of Yorkton about affordability measures this morning before travelling to the nearby village of Theodore for an event with the local Saskatchewan Party candidate.
NDP Leader Carla Beck doesn’t have any events scheduled, though several party candidates are to hold press conferences.
On Thursday, Moe promised a directive banning “biological boys” from using school changing rooms with “biological girls” if re-elected.
The NDP said the Saskatchewan Party was punching down on vulnerable children.
Election day is Oct. 28.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 18, 2024.
REGINA – Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe is promising a directive banning “biological boys” from using school changing rooms with “biological girls” if re-elected, a move the NDP’s Carla Beck says weaponizes vulnerable kids.
Moe made the pledge Thursday at a campaign stop in Regina. He said it was in response to a complaint that two biological males had changed for gym class with girls at a school in southeast Saskatchewan.
He said the ban would be his first order of business if he’s voted again as premier on Oct. 28.
It was not previously included in his party’s campaign platform document.
“I’ll be very clear, there will be a directive that would come from the minister of education that would say that biological boys will not be in the change room with biological girls,” Moe said.
He added school divisions should already have change room policies, but a provincial directive would ensure all have the rule in place.
Asked about the rights of gender-diverse youth, Moe said other children also have rights.
“What about the rights of all the other girls that are changing in that very change room? They have rights as well,” he said, followed by cheers and claps.
The complaint was made at a school with the Prairie Valley School Division. The division said in a statement it doesn’t comment on specific situations that could jeopardize student privacy and safety.
“We believe all students should have the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe and welcoming learning environment,” it said.
“Our policies and procedures align with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code.”
Asked about Moe’s proposal, Beck said it would make vulnerable kids more vulnerable.
Moe is desperate to stoke fear and division after having a bad night during Wednesday’s televised leaders’ debate, she said.
“Saskatchewan people, when we’re at our best, are people that come together and deliver results, not divisive, ugly politics like we’ve seen time and again from Scott Moe and the Sask. Party,” Beck said.
“If you see leaders holding so much power choosing to punch down on vulnerable kids, that tells you everything you need to know about them.”
Beck said voters have more pressing education issues on their minds, including the need for smaller classrooms, more teaching staff and increased supports for students.
People also want better health care and to be able to afford gas and groceries, she added.
“We don’t have to agree to understand Saskatchewan people deserve better,” Beck said.
The Saskatchewan Party government passed legislation last year that requires parents consent to children under 16 using different names or pronouns at school.
The law has faced backlash from some LGBTQ+ advocates, who argue it violates Charter rights and could cause teachers to out or misgender children.
Beck has said if elected her party would repeal that legislation.
Heather Kuttai, a former commissioner with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission who resigned last year in protest of the law, said Moe is trying to sway right-wing voters.
She said a change room directive would put more pressure on teachers who already don’t have enough educational support.
“It sounds like desperation to me,” she said.
“It sounds like Scott Moe is nervous about the election and is turning to homophobic and transphobic rhetoric to appeal to far-right voters.
“It’s divisive politics, which is a shame.”
She said she worries about the future of gender-affirming care in a province that once led in human rights.
“We’re the kind of people who dig each other out of snowbanks and not spew hatred about each other,” she said. “At least that’s what I want to still believe.”
Also Thursday, two former Saskatchewan Party government members announced they’re endorsing Beck — Mark Docherty, who retired last year and was a Speaker, and Glen Hart, who retired in 2020.
Ian Hanna, a speech writer and senior political adviser to former Saskatchewan Party premier Brad Wall, also endorsed Beck.
Earlier in the campaign, Beck received support from former Speaker Randy Weekes, who quit the Saskatchewan Party earlier this year after accusing caucus members of bullying.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 17, 2024.
REGINA – Saskatchewan‘s provincial election is on Oct. 28. Here’s a look at some of the campaign promises made by the two major parties:
Saskatchewan Party
— Continue withholding federal carbon levy payments to Ottawa on natural gas until the end of 2025.
— Reduce personal income tax rates over four years; a family of four would save $3,400.
— Double the Active Families Benefit to $300 per child per year and the benefit for children with disabilities to $400 a year.
— Direct all school divisions to ban “biological boys” from girls’ change rooms in schools.
— Increase the First-Time Homebuyers Tax Credit to $15,000 from $10,000.
— Reintroduce the Home Renovation Tax Credit, allowing homeowners to claim up to $4,000 in renovation costs on their income taxes; seniors could claim up to $5,000.
— Extend coverage for insulin pumps and diabetes supplies to seniors and young adults
— Provide a 50 per cent refundable tax credit — up to $10,000 — to help cover the cost of a first fertility treatment.
— Hire 100 new municipal officers and 70 more officers with the Saskatchewan Marshals Service.
— Amend legislation to provide police with more authority to address intoxication, vandalism and disturbances on public property.
— Platform cost of $1.2 billion, with deficits in the first three years and a small surplus in 2027.
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NDP
— Pause the 15-cent-a-litre gas tax for six months, saving an average family about $350.
— Remove the provincial sales tax from children’s clothes and ready-to-eat grocery items like rotisserie chickens and granola bars.
— Pass legislation to limit how often and how much landlords can raise rent.
— Repeal the law that requires parental consent when children under 16 want to change their names or pronouns at school.
— Launch a provincewide school nutrition program.
— Build more schools and reduce classroom sizes.
— Hire 800 front-line health-care workers in areas most in need.
— Launch an accountability commission to investigate cost overruns for government projects.
— Scrap the marshals service.
— Hire 100 Mounties and expand detox services.
— Platform cost of $3.5 billion, with small deficits in the first three years and a small surplus in the fourth year.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct .17, 2024.
