Justin Trudeau remains ambiguous about the decriminalization of hard drugs

Trudeau, however, did not rule out implementing this policy at some point over the Liberal government’s tenure.

Speaking to reporters, Trudeau said “we will take a look at the proposals, but as we said many times, we believe in harm reduction, we believe in evidence-based policy. Our approach is to ensure that people get the support they need. We do not believe that decriminalizing hard drugs is the solution right now.”

Trudeau has often been asked questions about his stance on the decimalization of hard drugs throughout his tenure. In September of last year, for instance, the prime minister said that “we’re not looking at full decriminalization at all right now.”

During the opioid crisis, Trudeau also said that “I was absolutely opposed to the decriminalization of marijuana for many years and opposed to legalization. I am now opposed to decriminalization of hard drugs.”

Trudeau left the meaning of this comment somewhat ambiguous.

Speaking to The Post Millennial, the Conservative Party MP for Markham—Unionville Bob Saroya said, “Trudeau keeps saying ‘not now’ to legalizing hard drugs. My constituents and most Canadians will never want the legalization of hard drugs.”

“That is why my Conservative colleagues and I will continue to fight against the legalization of drugs like crack, meth, and heroin. We know these drugs ruin lives, families, and communities. The conversation we need to have is about stopping the supply of drugs, prevention, and addiction services,” he added.

Trudeau’s most recent comments were in response to a Liberal MP’s private member’s bill that sought to decriminalize hard drugs like heroin, crack cocaine and meth.

If passed, the bill would decriminalize possession for personal use—making it acceptable to use these drugs so long as they are not sold.