Feds refuse Toronto's request to decriminalize simple drug possession
The federal government has denied Toronto's request to decriminalize simple possession of small amounts of drugs for personal use, saying it "does not adequately protect public health and maintain public safety."
"This includes concerns with feasibility and ability for law enforcement to implement the proposed model, protection of youth, and lack of support from key players including the Province of Ontario," Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Ya'ara Saks said in a statement released Friday afternoon.
Ottawa's decision came a day after the Ontario government urged the city to drop the request, which it called "misguided" and "disastrous."
Health Minister Sylvia Jones and the province's Solicitor General Michael Kerzner indicated in their letter to Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto's medical officer of health, that the province will not support the request made to Health Canada in early 2022 for an exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Premier Doug Ford also reiterated that his government would not back the request in his letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday, in which he asked Ottawa to pause the approval of new safe supply sites.
"As we've already indicated to Toronto Public Health, we do not, and never will, support their application to decriminalize illegal drugs," Ford wrote. "Please consider this our formal confirmation to the federal government that we are 100 per cent opposed to their proposal."
Ford's comments come in tandem with federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who also recently penned a letter to the prime minister asking him to reject Toronto's request.
Toronto's drug decriminalization request returned to the spotlight after British Columbia's request to recriminalize the use of select drugs in many public spaces following problems which arose from an exemption order previously granted to the province.
Dr. de Villa, in a statement Friday evening, said now that decriminalization, which she called as just one "evidence-informed policy tool", was no longer an option, "the need to invest in other available evidence-based interventions is all the more critical."
"Increasing funding and access to a broad range of treatment options, which is the responsibility of the province, is another tool required to address the drug toxicity epidemic," she said.
De Villa told CP24 Thursday that the request represents her best medical advice for public health. "At the end of the day, I will continue to do my job as a physician to provide the advice and then to leave the decision-making to the elected officials," she said.
In her Friday statement, she voiced her support for Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow's call for partnership between all levels of government to address the "complex epidemic."
"Toronto Public Health remains a ready and willing partner to explore collaborative approaches on this important and urgent health issue," de Villa said.
Before the federal government's decision was announced on Friday, Chow, in a letter, urged all three levels of government to work together on points of agreement to combat the opioid crisis.
She said the approach should include a 24/7 Crisis Centre; expanding access to evidence-based treatment for substance use; supportive housing to address complex needs; and other measures.
"I believe this approach, with a strong focus on expanded treatment options, can significantly reduce the devastating impact of the drug toxicity epidemic in Toronto and across Ontario," Chow wrote.
She also said, "We all agree more treatment is vital."
Chow has previously said she thinks the debate about decriminalization is irrelevant without proper housing and treatment supports in place for people addicted to drugs.
With files from Codi Wilson and The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING NEWS Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race, endorses Kamala Harris to be Democratic nominee
U.S. President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for re-election after a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about the incumbent's fitness for office with the election just four months away. It was a late-season campaign thunderstrike unlike any in American history.
Justin Trudeau reacts to Joe Biden announcing he won't run for re-election
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to the news that U.S. President Joe Biden won’t run for re-election Sunday, calling Biden a 'true friend.'
What happens next: Joe Biden wants to pass the baton to Kamala Harris. Here's how that might work
With U.S. President Joe Biden ending his re-election bid and endorsing Vice-President Kamala Harris, Democrats now must navigate a shift that is unprecedented this late in an election year.
The pilot who died in crash after releasing skydivers near Niagara Falls has been identified
NEW YORK (AP) — Officials on Sunday released the name of a pilot who died in a skydiving flight after her passengers jumped from the aircraft near the Niagara Falls.
Joy in Newfoundland after 'Lucky 7' fishers survive harrowing days lost at sea
There was a powerful word being repeated in the joyful Newfoundland community of New-Wes-Valley on Sunday: 'Miracle.'
LCBO workers ratify tentative agreement, strike ends Monday
The union representing 10,000 workers at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) has ratified a tentative agreement, which will officially end its two-week strike at 12:01 a.m. Monday.
Canadian musicians struggle to get visas to perform in the U.S., some cancel shows
Backlogs and processing delays of temporary U.S. visas required by entertainers, athletes and artists has forced some Canadian bands to cancel U.S. tour dates because paperwork wasn't processed in time.
Ottawa man waiting nearly a year for car to be fixed at Acura dealership
An Ottawa man says he’s been waiting nearly a year for his car to be repaired after it was damaged during a storm in August.
A history buff bought a piece of a tent from Goodwill for US$1,700. It really did belong to George Washington
As a collector of artifacts, Richard 'Dana' Moore makes a habit of scrolling through Goodwill’s online thrift store, and one day in 2022, the history buff came across an item that piqued his interest.