NDP push for nationwide drug decriminalization after BC given go-ahead

On Tuesday, BC announced that it had received an exemption from Health Canada, allowing the province to decriminalize drugs and treat the crisis as a health issue.

This prompted NDP leader Jagmeet Singh to speak up, pushing for a nationwide solution via a bill presented by his party.

"Really what we're calling for, is an evidence-based, health-based approach to save lives," Singh began, "and it is unimaginable to me that a government, that the Liberal government, can see the evidence that the current approach is not working, and refuse to support our health-based approach."

He went on to say that the Liberals' decision not to implement a national solution is hypocritical given the fact that they just approved an exemption for BC allowing the province to take a health-based approach.

"What does that say about the rest of Canada? What does that say to the thousands of families who bury their children because they were lost to a toxic supply, or to an overdose situation. What does that say to the rest of Canadians? That their lives don't matter?"

Singh called the decision not to take a national approach to a national crisis "shameful," and urged Trudeau to "show leadership."

"We can save lives today. The bill that we're presenting will save lives."

The bill in question was introduced by NDP MP Gord Johns, and seeks to decriminalize certain illicit substances nationwide. It is set to be voted on later Wednesday, however as a private member's bill it faces major hurdles.

Trudeau was pressed on the issue of nationwide decriminalization during question period on Wednesday, with Singh leading the charge.

"Now the prime minister has agreed to take a healthcare-based approach by decriminalizing personal possession in BC," Singh said. "But if that approach is good in BC, why won't the prime minister support our bill to bring a healthcare approach for the rest of Canada?"

Trudeau agreed that a healthcare-based approach was necessary, but added that there needs to be a "framework" in place before any legislation can be passed.

"Unfortunately it is not a simple solution like [the one] proposed by the NDP, it is a complex solution."

Speaking with reporters afterwards, however, Trudeau hinted that certain cities such as Toronto and Edmonton could be given the go-ahead to decriminalize in the near future.