Prosecute s.4(1) drug offences

AI summary

Petitioners ask Canada to prosecute s.4(1) offences in or near Oshawa parks, sidewalks or private property. The government responds that the Public Prosecution Service prosecutes s.4(1) offences nationwide; Quebec and New Brunswick use provincial prosecutors.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the Government of Canada We, the undersigned citizens, and residents of Canada, draw the attention of the Government of Canada to the following: Whereas Illegal drugs have made Canadian cities less safe, reducing the quality of life for law-abiding citizens; Whereas Canadians deserve to enjoy public spaces without worrying about crime; Whereas It's time for the Government of Canada to enforce the law and prosecute open-air drug use; Therefore, We, the undersigned, Citizens, and the Residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Act on the City of Oshawa's motion and prosecute offences committed contrary to s4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act when offences are committed in or near Oshawa's parks, sidewalks, or on private properties.

Government response

Response by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Signed by Patricia Lattanzio The Public Prosecution Service of Canada has always and continues to prosecute drug possession offences under s4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The decision to prosecute any charge under s4(1) Controlled Drugs and Substances Act offence across the country – except in Quebec and New Brunswick where most drug offences are prosecuted by provincial prosecutors – is made by Public Prosecution Service of Canada’s prosecutors in accordance with the relevant sections of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada’s Deskbook.