Debates of May 29th, 2024

Department of Health—Main Estimates, 2024-25

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Speaker, how much diversion is acceptable to the minister?

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, zero is acceptable. It is illegal.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Speaker, has decriminalization been successful in British Columbia?

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yes, the number of people who have been arrested rather than being diverted to health services has—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

The hon. member for Fort McMurray—Cold Lake.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Speaker, then why did the minister grant British Columbia's request to effectively ban public drug use in most places?

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, we responded to B.C.'s request for an amendment.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Speaker, why did it take the minister 11 days to respond to their request?

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it was responsible action.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Speaker, why not just end it altogether?

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, we require a full suite of tools to address the overdose crisis.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Speaker, how is the minister measuring success in B.C.'s decriminalization?

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, we are measuring success by the decreased number of arrests and referrals to health services.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Speaker, leading addiction physicians from across Canada have written several letters demanding the minister make all safe supply programs witnessed and recovery-focused, or shut them down. Will the minister follow the advice from these experts?

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I met with many experts, with different advice and many different opinions. We listened to them and took mitigation measures where needed, and we will continue to work to make sure it is safe.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Speaker, protocols have been put in place to allow so-called safe supply of fentanyl to children under 18 without parental consent or knowledge. Will the minister clearly stand against fentanyl ever being given recreationally to children, yes or no?

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, no child has been prescribed fentanyl. Alternatives are prescribed through a relationship between a physician and their patient, and will be done under strict advisement.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Speaker, will you stand up against recreational fentanyl to children, yes or no?

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order.

The member should be directing her questions through you. She said, “Will you”, asking a question directly of the minister. Perhaps you could remind the House.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

The member has done it effectively, and I am certain the hon. member did not mean much by it.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Speaker, will the minister stand up against recreational fentanyl to youth, yes or no?

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, recreational fentanyl is illegal, and we have law enforcement to do that.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the minister has the power to say no to this. Will she, yes or no?

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, law enforcement places its role in the illegal toxic drug supply.

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Mr. Speaker, these questions will be directed to the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions as well.

Is her government looking to fund the so-called safe supply of cocaine?