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HESA Committee Meeting

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Minutes of Proceedings

Standing Committee on Health (HESA)
44th Parliament, 1st Session
Meeting 110
Monday, April 15, 2024, 3:31 p.m. to 5:34 p.m.
Webcast
Presiding
Sean Casey, Chair (Liberal)

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• Gord Johns for Peter Julian (NDP)
• Joël Lightbound for Yasir Naqvi (Liberal)
Library of Parliament
• Kelly Farrah, Analyst
• Tu-Quynh Trinh, Analyst
Opioid Epidemic and Toxic Drug Crisis in Canada
As an individual
• Nathaniel Day, Provincial Medical Director, Addiction, Alberta Health Services
British Columbia Association of Chiefs of Police
• Fiona Wilson, President and Deputy Chief, Vancouver Police Department
Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police
• Rachel Huggins, Deputy Director and Co-Chair, Drug Advisory Committee
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
• D/Commr Dwayne McDonald
• A/Commr Will Ng
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, the committee resumed its study of the opioid epidemic and toxic drug crisis in Canada.

Nathaniel Day, Fiona Wilson, Rachel Huggins and Dwayne McDonald made statements and, with Will Ng, answered questions.

Motion

Laila Goodridge moved, — That, given that,

a) A leaked memo from a British Columbia health network states:

• “Staff are not to search or seize patients’ drugs or weapons with blades less than four inches long or restrict visitors who bring them drugs for personal use;

• This applies to anyone in possession of 2.5 grams or less of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine or MDMA”;

b) The ongoing situation at Victoria General Hospital in British Columbia, where illicit drugs are regularly consumed by patients at Victoria General Hospital, exposing patients, including pregnant women at the maternity ward, and health care workers to the risks of inhaling toxic substances, coming into contact with illicit powders, and facing harm from intoxicated patients;

c) This is the result of dangerous drug decriminalization policies, the commitee report its support of the victims of this situation, including nurses and pregnant women, and its condemnation of policies that allow for dangerous drug use in hospitals;

The commitee call the following witnesses: the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health and Health Canada officials for no less than two hours; Victoria Police Department representatives; British Columbia Nurses Union representatives.

Debate arose thereon.

Motion

Brendan Hanley moved, — That the debate be now adjourned.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 4.

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.

At 5:34 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.



Aimée Belmore
Clerk of the committee