Thank you.
Mr. Chair, I would like to move a motion:
That, given that a leaked memo from British Columbia health network states:
“Staff are not to search or seize patients' drugs or weapons with blades less than four inches long or restrict visitors who bring them drugs for personal use;
This applies to anyone in possession of 2.5 grams or less of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine or MDMA”;
and that, given the ongoing situation at Victoria General Hospital in British Columbia, where illicit drugs are regularly consumed by patients at Victoria General Hospital, exposing patients, including pregnant women at the maternity ward and health care workers, to the risks of inhaling toxic substances, coming into contact with illicit powders, and facing harm from intoxicated patients, and that this is the result of dangerous drug decriminalization policies,
the committee report its support of the victims of this situation, including nurses and pregnant women, and its condemnation of policies that allow for dangerous drug use in hospitals, and that the committee call the following witnesses: the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health and Health Canada officials for no less than two hours; Victoria Police Department representatives; and British Columbia Nurses' Union representatives.
Mr. Chair, I think that through the last bit of testimony we've had here, it has become increasingly clear that there are some very serious issues when it comes to decriminalization, and we are seeing major impacts. We've even heard from Vancouver police specifically that there are exceptions to the exemption and that this has not been put into play in a way that is preserving public safety.
Therefore, I think it is absolutely incumbent on us as the health committee to study and to look into the direct implications that it's having in our hospitals. In reading some of these stories and some of the horrific pieces that we've had to see, I can't imagine nursing moms being told by their nurses that perhaps they don't want to breastfeed their children because there are concerns regarding the drug use in hospitals, and the drug use is so open that people are wearing gas masks.
I just share this. I hope that we can approve this motion and get back to the witnesses.
Thank you.