44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 8, 2022 10:00AM
- Feb/8/22 7:17:12 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, what we are hearing is very touching, and the facts I will share in my speech will be just as touching.
I think we are at a critical point. I am sorry to hear my colleague say that these initiatives keep dying on the Order Paper. I arrived here in 2019. How is it that, in 2022, with all the means and ideas that my colleagues are proposing and that I will be proposing later, we are unable to resolve this crisis?
An election campaign does indeed kill everything on the Order Paper, but I need more information. What does the current government still need in order to act? What can be done for us to collectively understand that it is time to address this issue? I would like to hear my colleague's comments on that.
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- Feb/8/22 7:19:49 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, there is so much to say, but I really only want to take 10 minutes.
Today, we are talking about the opioid crisis, which affects every province. Quebec is no exception. The problem is that long‑term opioid use can build tolerance and therefore lead to the use of higher doses and ultimately addiction. We all have someone close to us who can be physically or psychologically affected, which can obviously lead to an overdose.
Why is this an opioid crisis? It is because overall opioid use has been on the rise since the 1980s. In fact, since 2016, opioid‑related deaths have increased dramatically, from 3,000 to 6,000.
Quebec, which was relatively spared, has been experiencing an increase in overdoses in recent years. Tragically, COVID‑19 has contributed to this increase. This gives us justification to take the time to look at drug policies and approaches, here and elsewhere.
I would like to explain what has been done and what is being done in Quebec. I think it could contribute to this debate. We heard some recommendations earlier. It has been clear from the outset that this is a matter of public health.
The action plan that Quebec has developed includes surveillance through a system that monitors opioid use and collect statistics on deaths and hospitalizations, among others.
Overdose prevention interventions also provide monitoring opportunities. This is very important. We consider that making naloxone universally and freely accessible and ensuring that frontline workers, such as firefighters, paramedics and police officers, are able to administer it when needed, is an important part of responding to overdoses and practising harm reduction.
I want to commend all the work done by Le Dispensaire, a community organization near my riding of Laurentides—Labelle. This organization, led by none other than the legendary Dr. Robert, as well as executive director Hugo Bissonnet and all his team, serves the entire region by providing information, handing out naloxone kits and supporting people experiencing homelessness.
Information on how to use naloxone in the event of an overdose is a key piece of the puzzle. It is important to know how to use it to counteract any harm associated with opioid use.
Quebec has also implemented guidelines for the community organizations and health and social service facilities that want to provide supervised injection services to injection drug users. This allows them to reach vulnerable populations, reduce the number of overdose deaths, lower health risks, reduce public disturbances and provide care.
The Bloc Québécois believes that injection sites are a powerful tool against the opioid crisis. This has been proven in Montreal. The Bloc is calling on the federal government not to hinder the deployment of this tool. We will give the federal government all the necessary tools to convince it of the tremendous usefulness of the work of organizations and health care facilities in connection with this plan of action.
Quebec has changed its medical practices with respect to prescriptions and research to account for the risk of opioid abuse. That is the best way to make positive changes to our response to the opioid crisis when it comes to medical practice, the social sphere and public policy.
Quebec is playing a leading role in the fight against opioids because health care falls under its jurisdiction. The federal government can also contribute in a positive way, but the last campaign highlighted the differences between the parties, in addition to creating a consensus: drug-related problems are a public health problem.
The Liberal, Bloc, Conservative and NDP members all spoke favourably about this change in vision. That was the first major step. We have to take action.
The process that should be put in place is one that would decriminalize simple possession. The whole thing should be supported by frontline health services. In practical terms, what that means is that an individual who was arrested for possession would be given the possibility of taking training or a detox program in exchange for the charges being dropped. That measure currently exists in Montreal and in Puvirnituq, Nunavik, but we would like it to be in effect throughout Quebec.
Again, funding is obviously the key to success. The Premier of Quebec, Mr. Legault, said that very thing again today. The government is very familiar with that request. I think we must have called for funding 152 times. It is unprecedented.
The Bloc Québécois is calling on the federal government to increase its contribution for health to 35% of the cost of the system. That represents $6 billion a year, indexed at 6% a year thereafter to allow its contribution to keep pace with inflation and the increased cost of health care.
The Block Québécois is emphasizing this initiative because it aligns with what we want for society: a universal public health system worthy of a G7 country. Without that, we cannot adequately address health care problems related to drug addiction, or any other health care problem.
I would like to thank all our organizations in Laurentides—Labelle, including Maison Lyse‑Beauchamp, a shelter that helps the vulnerable who are homeless to overcome difficulties. According to the testimonials we hear, access to social housing is the foundation for giving these people all the power they need.
My colleagues now have recommendations for additional funding. For social housing it is simple. It is 1% of the annual budget. That is what will help us make up for the time that has been lost since 1995.
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- Feb/8/22 7:30:50 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I have some good news for my colleague. In light of the recommendations and these proposals, we obviously agree that this is a public health issue.
Decriminalization also needs to be revisited. As I mentioned, we will support it. If the overall situation is similar to what is happening in Montreal, we need to act quickly. We would be pleased to examine everything so that, in 2022, we can take another crucial step for people.
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- Feb/8/22 7:32:56 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, before I was elected, I did frontline intervention in the 2000s. One of the most remarkable things I witnessed was the key moment in the lives of vulnerable people who are given access to substances to help them with this problem.
Obviously, when we talk about being there for people and providing them with resources to prevent them from becoming even more vulnerable, this includes making a social commitment whereby a society ensures that means are in place to support prevention. The next step is to find ways to empower these people and support their recovery.
Right now, in 2022, there are people knocking on my office door. These people are not in that situation. Instead, they are in a situation where they cannot afford groceries or adequate housing because of the the bubble and the inflation we are experiencing. Today, we are focusing on the distress that can lead to opioid addiction.
I listed a number of steps earlier, and I am certain that this year we will get the necessary tools by using every possible winning model. I had to help people far too many times and, unfortunately, we did not have sufficient resources.
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- Feb/8/22 7:36:01 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague from Victoria, because her French is excellent. I understood her very well.
I am pleased to see that there are some things that can be done. It is what I was talking about earlier. A pioneer in this field, Dr. Robert, in Montreal, has created a model that works precisely to give people access to sites that help them avoid this tragedy.
Can we provide such sites in all areas where this vulnerability exists?
Once again, I congratulate my colleague on her French. I will have the opportunity to speak my other official language in another context.
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- Feb/8/22 8:07:01 p.m.
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Madam Chair, for the last hour and a half we have been discussing proposals that seem to reflect all of us a bit.
I have a question for the minister. We are talking about a diversion process for simple possession with the support of frontline health services. This support would change everything and allow for training or detox treatment, an appropriate option in exchange for dropping charges.
I would like to hear her thoughts, because that is exactly what is happening right now in Montreal and Nunavik.
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- Feb/8/22 8:17:46 p.m.
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Madam Chair, I have a simple question for my colleague, who has expertise in the health field.
Earlier, I spoke about interventions to prevent overdoses. One response to overdoses was to make naloxone universally and freely available. In Quebec for example, firefighters, paramedics and police officers use it to save lives.
I would like to hear my colleague's views on this universal, free access to naloxone.
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- Feb/8/22 8:27:45 p.m.
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Madam Chair, I heard my colleague talk about the need for statistics and monitoring.
I will repeat the suggestions I made in my speech, and I would like to know if he believes that they make sense.
When we talk about monitoring and intervention for overdose prevention and harm reduction, are activities that seek to provide information and raise awareness a good thing in his opinion? Do we need to improve medical and pharmaceutical practices for opioids and pain management? What does he think of access to integrated and adapted services for people receiving treatment for opioid use that requires the use of a drug, as well as training, research and assessment?
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- Feb/8/22 9:16:19 p.m.
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Madam Chair, I have a very simple question for my colleague.
Over the years, construction of new social housing units has fallen by the wayside. Now that we are confronting the harsh consequences of the past 20 years, my colleague seems to think, based on what I heard in her speech, that opioid use and addiction happen because people are seeking an escape. When people have financial difficulties or do not have access to quality health care, that can lead to homelessness.
I would like to ask my colleague if she agrees that we should try to make up for years of neglect in this area?
Does she think 1% is enough to make up for the decades during which there was not enough affordable housing for people with this issue?
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