End BC decriminalization pilot
Petitioners ask the Government of Canada to not renew British Columbia’s drug decriminalization pilot and instead expand addiction treatment and restore public order. The government responds that health-care delivery is provincial, federal SUAP funding for safer-supply pilots has ended, and it continues to support provinces via drug-strategy and emergency treatment funds.
Why we would sign this petition
- It would stop renewal of British Columbia’s decriminalization pilot, responding to petitioners' claim that the pilot has not reduced overdose deaths.
- It redirects policy focus and likely resources toward expanding addiction treatment, recovery services and supports as petitioners request.
- It aims to restore public order and community safety by reversing decriminalization and prioritizing treatment and enforcement.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- The federal response notes health-care delivery is provincial, so Ottawa may lack authority to unilaterally end or replace provincial policies.
- Repealing the pilot could reduce harm-reduction options; critics may prefer improving and evaluating pilots rather than ending them outright.
- The petition prioritizes a single policy change over coordinated federal‑provincial strategies and targeted funding tools described in the government response.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA WHEREAS On January 31, 2023, the federal government granted British Columbia an unprecedented exemption from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act by decriminalizing the possession of illicit drugs such as fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin in amounts under 2.5 grams for personal use. This project has been ineffective at lowering the number of deaths associated to drug use. Overdose deaths in British Columbia continue to occur at an alarmingly rate and must be treated as the emergency health crisis that it is. THEREFORE We, the undersigned citizens and permanent residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to not renew their reckless decriminalization pilot project in British Columbia, but, rather, expand drug recovery programs, and return order and security to our communities.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Health Signed by Maggie Chi Our government understands that the toxic drug and overdose crisis is one of the most serious public health threats in Canada’s recent history and is being driven by the increasingly toxic and unpredictable illegal drug supply. Fentanyl remains widespread but the rise or emergence of other substances, including stronger synthetic opioids, stimulants, and sedatives, has further compounded efforts to address the crisis. The cost of substance use-related harms extends beyond the loss of lives, affecting health, well-being, public safety and Canada’s prosperity. The federal government does not approve, authorize, or deliver “safer supply” programs. The delivery of healthcare services falls under provincial and territorial jurisdiction. Provinces and territories may choose to operate “safer supply” programs within their jurisdiction, and may regulate health care practitioners to deliver the programs under their scope of medical practice, as part of the practice of medicine. Health Canada funded some provincial and territorial “safer supply” pilot projects under the Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP). However, all federal funding under SUAP for these pilot projects ended on March 31, 2025, and there are no plans to fund new prescribed alternative projects. Any pilot projects funded were required to demonstrate that they met all legislative and regulatory requirements in their respective jurisdictions, and were also required to have mitigation strategies in place to prevent drugs from being diverted away from the programs. Any diversion from such programs was illegal and fell under the definition of drug trafficking in Canada. Health Canada supported and continues to support law enforcement actions to address drug trafficking and support community safety, wherever it takes place. While provinces and territories are responsible for the funding and delivery of treatment services, facilities and beds, the federal government supports their efforts through funding provided under the Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy. The Strategy is centered on promoting public health and protecting public safety, and supports law enforcement efforts to address drug trafficking, in addition to timely access to prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services and supports. Federal funding to support the Strategy is delivered through a number of programs. The SUAP provides funding to provinces, territories, and other levels of government, as well as community-led, Indigenous, and not-for-profit organizations, and it supports a wide range of innovative and evidence-informed prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery projects. The federal government also funds the Emergency Treatment Fund (ETF), which helps provide a rapid response to emergent, critical needs to municipalities and Indigenous communities on the overdose crisis. As of October 2025, Health Canada has provided funding to more than 90 projects supporting Indigenous communities and municipalities across Canada, with more projects under consideration. ETF funding supports a range of activities, including treatment related supports, harm reduction and overdose prevention support, cultural and community programming, outreach activities, and certain capital costs. The list of active ETF projects is available on Health Canada’s website and is updated on a regular basis as further project announcements are made. The ETF launched a national Call for Proposals on October 6, 2025, for new projects starting in fiscal year 2026-2027. Our government’s actions are building on the work done by the previous government, including the Working Together bilateral agreements. These agreements provide the provinces and territories with $25 billion over ten years to address shared health priorities, including improving access to quality mental health, and substance use services. Additional information on actions undertaken to date on the overdose crisis can be found at the following website.