End incarceration for addiction
Petitioners ask the Government of Canada to stop incarcerating people for drug addiction and fund rehabilitation and treatment programs to reintegrate them into society, as in Portugal. The government responds that it uses a public-health strategy, funds treatment, diversion and drug courts, and retains measures against trafficking to protect public safety.
Why we would sign this petition
- It would replace incarceration with treatment, directly pursuing rehabilitation and reintegration for people with substance use disorders.
- Aligning policy with Portugal's model could refocus resources on health services instead of jail, potentially easing homelessness and mental-health pressures noted by the petitioners.
- Emphasizing treatment and diversion could reduce criminal-justice burdens and allow targeted supports such as court-supervised treatment programs.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Opponents may argue ending incarceration could hinder public safety if trafficking and supply are not addressed concurrently.
- Shifting funding to treatment requires provincial delivery and sustained resources; practical gaps could limit program availability.
- Some may prefer targeted diversion and conditional sentencing rather than a blanket cessation of incarceration to preserve responses for serious offences.
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 HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following: THAT, WHEREAS treating those who suffer from drug abuse as criminals have proven ineffective in alleviating the burden of drug abuse on our society. Instead, it has driven those with the potential to be rehabilitated into the streets and exacerbated the issues of mental health and homelessness. THEREFORE, YOUR PETITIONERS call upon the Government of Canada to cease incarceration of those who suffer from drug abuse, and to begin rehabilitation of said victims back into society through treatment programs, as does Portugal.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Health Signed by Maggie Chi Our government understands that the toxic drug and overdose crisis is a serious public health threat that is being driven by a 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. Our government takes this crisis very seriously and is committed to working with all orders of government, Indigenous Peoples and communities, law enforcement, criminal justice, health and social systems, people with lived and living experience and other key stakeholders, to take action and leverage every available tool to save lives. Since 2017, more than $1.2 billion has been invested to address the drug crisis. 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 Substance Use and Addictions Program 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 April 2026, Health Canada has provided funding to more than 110 projects supporting Indigenous communities and municipalities across Canada, with more projects currently under funding agreement negotiations following an October 2025 Call for Proposals. 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. 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 Canada continues to face a national opioid and overdose crisis. This complex issue requires a comprehensive, collaborative, and evidence-based response. Health Canada leads the federal response to the opioid overdose crisis, with support from Justice Canada, Public Safety, and other federal departments. The Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy (CDSS) guides the federal approach to substance use related harms and the overdose crisis and includes four integrated action areas: (1) prevention and education, (2) evidence, (3) substance use services and supports, and (4) substance controls. The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) is the key federal statute governing drugs and include guiding principles that recognize problematic substance use as primarily a health and social issue. For example, sections 10.2 and 10.3 of the CDSA require police and prosecutors to consider using warnings, referrals, and alternative measures to divert cases of simple drug possession away from the criminal justice system. Additionally, on December 9, 2025, the Government introduced Bill C-16, the Protecting Victims Act, which,among other reforms, proposes amendments to the Criminal Code to encourage the use of diversion and restorative justice in cases that do not pose a risk to public safety. These amendments would require decision-makers to consider the personal circumstances of accused persons such as addictions when determining whether diversion is appropriate. These legislative approaches complement the current approach taken by the Public Prosecution Services of Canada, which directs federal prosecutors to reserve criminal prosecution for possession of a controlled substance for the most serious offences that pose a risk to public safety. More generally, prosecutors are encouraged to consider alternatives to prosecution, including referrals to alternative measures such as drug treatment programming, unless those measures are inadequate to address the concerns related to the conduct. Individuals with substance use disorder who come into contact with the criminal justice system may also participate in a drug treatment court (DTC) in appropriate cases. DTCs offer eligible adult offenders the opportunity to complete a court monitored drug treatment program as an alternative to incarceration. Justice Canada administers the Drug Treatment Court Funding Program (DTCFP), which provides $10.6 million annually in contribution funding to participating provinces and territories to support 24 DTCs across the country.