Reinstate mandatory drug sentences
Petitioners ask Canada to reinstate mandatory minimums removed in Bill C-5 for narcotics offences, end federal safer‑supply programs, and fund rehab beds. The government responds it ended federal safer‑supply funding and supports provincial treatment.
Why we would sign this petition
- Reinstating mandatory minimums could increase deterrence and accountability for trafficking, potentially reducing organized drug activity and improving local public safety.
- Ending federal safer‑supply programs may reduce diversion and street availability of narcotics, addressing petitioners’ concern that supply was increased.
- Funding rehabilitation beds expands treatment capacity, giving people structured care and pathways to stop using and recover.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Mandatory minimums limit judicial discretion and may not address addiction’s root causes or reliably reduce crime; deterrent effects are disputed.
- Ending safer‑supply removes a harm‑reduction option that public‑health advocates say can lower overdoses and other health harms.
- Treatment delivery is provincial; federal funding or mandates for beds may duplicate programs, raise jurisdictional issues, and face implementation challenges.
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: Residents of Fairhaven, Meadowgreen, Parkridge, and Confederation in Saskatoon, and all of Saskatoon, have faced significant challenges as crime, chaos, and disorder take over the neighborhoods. Drug use and homelessness have overrun these neighborhoods, making public areas, schools, and even private backyards unsafe. Safe supply and harm reduction programs paid for by the federal government have prolonged and encouraged drug use instead of offering treatment for addiction. WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, the undersigned residents of Saskatoon West, CALL UPON THE Government of Canada to 1. Bring back the mandatory minimum sentences for the trafficking, importing, and production of illegal narcotics that were removed in Bill C-5, making it less risky for criminals, dealers, and narcotic producers to operate. 2. End the dangerous safe supply experiment that has lowered the costs and increased the supply of narcotics on the street. 3. Invest in real treatment for drug users, such as rehabilitation beds that encourage people to get off drugs.
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’s funding of provincial and territorial pilot projects through the Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP), but such projects was dependent on provinces or territories supporting pilot project program applications. All federal funding under SUAP for these pilot projects ended on March 31, 2025. 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. Response by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Signed by The Parliamentary Secretary Patricia Lattanzio Everyone deserves to live in a society where they are safe. The Government knows that drug-related crime and the harms associated with the illicit drug trade are top-of-mind for many people in Canada, along with concerns about the role of organized crime in exploiting communities and fueling violence. This is why the Government introduced Bill C-14, the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, which is the result of extensive collaboration between the federal government, the provinces and territories, as well as law enforcement partners. The Bill would strengthen community safety and bolster confidence in the administration of justice by making bail harder to obtain in cases involving organized crime, including those connected to the production and trafficking of illicit drugs, and by reinforcing the sentencing framework for these offences. In terms of a stricter bail system, the Bill would create new reverse onuses in cases involving serious organized crime offences, meaning the starting point is detention and the accused would have to demonstrate why their release is justified. Additionally, when considering whether to grant bail, the amendments would direct police not to release an accused where it would be contrary to the public interest or where detention is necessary to protect victims, witnesses, or the broader community. The Bill would also strengthen sentencing laws for organized crime offences, including those involving the production and trafficking of illicit drugs. Courts would be required to give primary consideration to denunciation and deterrence in these cases, ensuring that sentences better reflect the serious harms caused by the illicit drug trade and discourage others from participating in these activities. The Government is further committed to advancing legislative reforms to ensure that those responsible for investigating crime and threats to national security and protecting our borders have the tools they need. That is why, on March 12, 2026, the Government introduced Bill C-22, An Act respecting lawful access. Informed by extensive consultations, Bill C-22 would strengthen Canada’s laws and support law enforcement with new tools to investigate serious threats, disrupt organized crime, including drug trafficking, and protect our communities. Taken together, these measures represent a clear and firm commitment to disrupting organized crime and addressing the serious impacts of drug-related offending in communities across Canada.