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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 311

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 8, 2024 02:00PM
Context: House Hansard - 311 - May/8/24
Hon. Pierre Poilievre (Leader of the Opposition, CPC)
  • May/8/24 3:02:33 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is playing word games again. He pretends there is a difference between legalization and decriminalization. It is basically the same thing, but we will use his word. He brought in decriminalization in British Columbia, which led to a 380% increase in overdose deaths. There were 2,500 deaths last year, the worst death count in any province's history. Will the Prime Minister admit that his decriminalization in B.C. was a deadly disaster, or will he admit that he plans to do it again right across the country, everywhere, after the next election?
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Context: House Hansard - 311 - May/8/24
Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)
  • May/8/24 3:03:14 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, earlier, the Leader of the Opposition was suggesting that I do my homework. One would think that on an issue that the Leader of the Opposition is making so much fundraising money off of, he would have actually done his work and would have realized there is a difference between legalization and decriminalization. That is one that really matters. We, yes, responded to a request for a pilot project by British Columbia to continue to try new approaches in solving this toxic drug overdose epidemic. We will continue to work with British Columbia, as we have, as they choose to make adjustments to their pilot project because we know saving lives and keeping communities safe is the most important thing.
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Context: House Hansard - 311 - May/8/24
Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)
  • May/8/24 3:04:40 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I have answered this question many times by saying that the only way we move forward on any proposals across this country, around decriminalization or other methods to fight toxic drug overdoses, is when provinces step up and actually ask for them. Failing that, we will not be moving forward on any modifications. However, there are provinces that are choosing to reduce their harm reduction measures. We will continue to increase harm reduction and public health responses to overdoses and to safe supply issues right across the country.
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Context: House Hansard - 311 - May/8/24
Hon. Pierre Poilievre (Leader of the Opposition, CPC)
  • May/8/24 3:08:08 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, not only is the Prime Minister refusing to rule out future decriminalization across the country, which has just failed in B.C., but also he has now just announced that he plans to spend even more tax dollars on narcotic opioids. According to the Vancouver chief of police, 50% of the recovered hydromorphone originated with government programs handing it out as a so-called safe supply. That program has led to a 166% increase in drug deaths across the country since it was brought in. Why will the Prime Minister not accept my common-sense plan to stop giving out deadly drugs and to start giving out treatment?
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