The House is on summer break, scheduled to return Sept. 15
Bill C-216 (Historical)
Health-based Approach to Substance Use Act
An Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and to enact the Expungement of Certain Drug-related Convictions Act and the National Strategy on Substance Use Act
This bill is from the 44th Parliament, 1st session, which ended in January 2025.
Introduced as a private member’s bill. (These don’t often become law.)
Status
Defeated, as of June 1, 2022 (This bill did not become law.)
Summary
This is from the published bill.
This enactment amends the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to repeal a provision that makes it an offence to possess certain substances. It also makes consequential amendments to other Acts. In addition, it enacts the Expungement of Certain Drug-related Convictions Act , which establishes a procedure for expunging certain drug-related convictions and provides for the destruction or removal of the judicial records of those convictions that are in federal repositories and systems. Finally, it enacts the National Strategy on Substance Use Act , which requires the Minister of Health to develop a national strategy to address the harm caused by problematic substance use.
All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.
Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-216s:
C-216 (2025)
Promotion of Safety in the Digital Age Act
C-216 (2020)
An Act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act (supply management)
C-216 (2020)
An Act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act (supply management)
C-216 (2016)
National Perinatal Bereavement Awareness Day Act
Votes
June 1, 2022Failed 2nd reading of Bill C-216, An Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and to enact the Expungement of Certain Drug-related Convictions Act and the National Strategy on Substance Use Act
This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below.
Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Bill C-216 proposes to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to decriminalize the possession of certain substances, enact the Expungement of Certain Drug-related Convictions Act to allow for the removal of records related to simple possession, and enact the National Strategy on Substance Use Act, which would require the Minister of Health to develop a national strategy to address the harm caused by problematic substance use. The bill aims to shift the focus from criminalization to a health-based approach, including access to a safe supply and harm reduction services, while critics are concerned about the timeline of implementation and the need for comprehensive support systems before decriminalization. The bill seeks to address the ongoing opioid crisis and reduce harms associated with substance use.
NDP
Decriminalization is key: The NDP strongly supports decriminalizing personal drug possession as a crucial step to end the 'war on drugs' and treat substance use as a health issue, not a criminal one, highlighting that criminalization exacerbates the trauma and stigma experienced by people struggling with addiction. Members noted that criminal sanctions serve to re-traumatize people who are already struggling to cope with trauma.
Expunge simple possession convictions: The NDP advocates for the full and automatic expungement of criminal records related to simple possession, aiming to remove barriers to employment, housing, and other essentials, thereby reducing stigma and marginalization for those with prior convictions.
National strategy for substance use: The NDP emphasizes the urgent need for a comprehensive national strategy on substance use that includes harm reduction, treatment, recovery services, and, crucially, access to a safe, regulated drug supply to combat the toxic drug crisis and save lives. Members stress that all of these measures have to be brought into play together.
Government's inaction: The NDP criticizes the government's slow response to the overdose crisis, pointing out the lack of urgency and the dire consequences of delaying essential reforms, which result in preventable deaths. A member stated that it's a contradiction to say drug use is a health issue and leave it criminalized, which continues to kill people.
Conservative
Addiction as a health issue: The Conservative party views addiction as a health issue requiring increased resources for treatment and a focus on recovery. They advocate for a recovery-focused approach, aiming to revise federal substance abuse policy to make recovery an overarching goal.
Concerns about decriminalization: The Conservatives express concerns about decriminalization without adequate prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery supports. They point to issues in Oregon and emphasize the need for a comprehensive recovery-oriented system of care before decriminalization can be considered.
Focus on recovery and treatment: The party believes that the focus should be on recovery and treatment, offering real, long-lasting solutions and hope for a better life, rather than just harm reduction or safe supply. They advocate for giving people the hope of recovery as the basic framework for dealing with the opioid crisis.
Link between drug and arms trafficking: The Conservatives highlight the link between drug trafficking and arms trafficking, arguing that removing personal use from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act will not solve the problem. They believe the focus should remain on tackling the source of lethal fentanyl-laced opioids and the criminals who produce them.
Bloc
Decriminalization supported conditionally: The Bloc Québécois is open to decriminalization but believe Bill C-216's timeline puts the "cart before the horse." They state that a pan-Canadian strategy should precede decriminalization to ensure proper support systems are in place.
Need for national strategy first: The Bloc emphasizes the importance of having a national strategy on substance use implemented before decriminalizing simple possession. The strategy should include prevention, treatment, and harm reduction services, and must be developed in consultation with representatives of the provincial governments responsible for health care services and key stakeholders.
Learning from Portugal's model: The Bloc cautions against selectively focusing on Portugal's decriminalization efforts without considering the comprehensive approach that includes legal alternatives to simple possession, diversion measures, supervised injection sites, education, and reintegration resources.
Importance of Quebec's approach: The Bloc highlights Quebec's PTTCQ program as a model for providing treatment to offenders with drug addictions, rather than systematically treating them as criminals. They suggest a more holistic approach that focuses on court-supervised treatment and collaboration between the court and addiction resources.
Liberal
Supports decriminalization: The Liberal party supports decriminalization of simple possession of drugs as a national policy, viewing problematic substance use as a public health issue rather than a criminal act. They believe this approach should be coupled with other supportive measures like safe supply and access to treatment.
Multi-faceted approach: The party advocates for a multi-faceted approach that includes investments in community-led harm reduction, treatment, and prevention projects, alongside decriminalization. They highlight existing investments in safe supply, naloxone access, and community-based mental wellness services.
Need for comprehensive strategy: While supporting the overall goal of decriminalization, the party emphasizes the need for a comprehensive and well-thought-out strategy for national implementation, including addressing complex issues, ensuring adequate resources, training law enforcement, and engaging with Indigenous communities.
Building on existing efforts: The party emphasizes that decriminalization should build on the work already done by all levels of government on safe supply, education, reducing stigmatization, access to treatment, and better clinical management, rather than being implemented in isolation.
