Legislation Regarding: Supervised Consumption Sites - Speaking Notes - the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq Minister of Health

Thursday, June 6, 2013
Ottawa, ON

Check Against Delivery

Good morning.

I'm pleased to be here today with Minister Blaney and Sergeant Skof, to make an important announcement affecting the health and safety of our families and communities.

In 2011, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that Insite -- the supervised injection site in Downtown Eastside Vancouver -- should be granted an exemption from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to continue operating.

The Court also stated that any decisions to grant permission for a supervised drug consumption site must consider a number of factors. This includes the impact on crime rates, the public health reasons for needing such a site, the resources available to support its operations, and community support or opposition.

To provide further clarity and transparency on an issue that could greatly impact the communities we live in, today our government has introduced the Respect for Communities Act, which amends the exemption provision in section 56 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. These amendmentswould require any potential applications for supervised drug consumption sites to address clear criteria before Health Canada will consider their application.

This includes the views of the local community.

The Respect for Communities Act would ensure Canadians could make their voices heard when a new supervised drug consumption site is being considered.

These new rules would require that local views be taken into account. Local law enforcement, municipal leaders, and public health officials will all need to be consulted, as part of the application process.

It gives the Minister of Health the authority to issue a public Notice of Application, which allows individuals to express their views. I'm confident the proposed legislation will bring much needed clarity to the way future applications are made, and show a real respect for community input.

I want to be clear about a few points.

First: This legislation applies to supervised drug consumption sites, which are locations where the drugs being used are obtained illegally.

Second:These new measures are in keeping with the 2011 decision by the Supreme Court of Canada;

Third: The new criteria do not apply to 99% of the exemption applications received by Health Canada to use legally obtained drugs for uses such as medical research for clinical trials; and

Finally: These measures are designed to protect public health and maintain public safety in our communities.

Our Government believes in law and order. We've demonstrated that with our tough-on-crime agenda and our broader commitment to safe streets and communities.

And while we're tough on drug dealers and organized crime, we also recognize that drug users need help. From a federal perspective we provide assistance in the form of prevention and treatment through our National Anti-Drug Strategy.

In terms of supervised drug consumption sites, we all have a stake in determining if such a facility is right for our communities. That's why the proposed legislation includes a strong, local, public consultation component.

Our government believes that a site involving the use of illicit substances should be strictly controlled to protect everyone in the community.

Accordingly, we believe that the application process needs to be changed to create formal opportunities for local voices to be heard, and their views considered before an exemption would be considered.

We all have a voice when it comes to our health and safety. I encourage Canadians to make theirs heard when it comes to supervised consumption sites.

Thank you.