Madam Speaker, minimum sentences for drug trafficking are much harsher in the United States and Australia than they are here in Canada.
Despite that, there is no on-the-ground evidence of reduced consumption. What we are seeing is more small-scale dealers in prisons. These are not the people who are least likely to be rehabilitated. They typically rehabilitate on their own.
The thing is, when people get involved in drug dealing, arms trafficking or any kind of trafficking, they are doing it to get more money because they are in tough situations.
That is why it would be good to look upstream at prevention, especially at things like adequate social housing, health transfers for social needs, and social supports.