Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my friend and hon. Liberal colleague from Beaches—East York for introducing this much-needed legislation. The war on drugs has failed my constituents. My riding of Saint John—Rothesay has a higher per capita opioid overdose rate than Vancouver. This legislation is critical to ensuring that we end the war on drugs, treat the opioid epidemic as a public health crisis and stop criminalizing those suffering from addiction. That is why I was proud be named as a seconder.
Can the member elaborate on how he feels this legislation will help ensure addiction is treated first and foremost as a public health matter rather than a criminal matter?