Liberals, NDP try to expedite passage of legislation to address opioid crisis
OTTAWA — The Liberals and NDP are working together to expedite the passage of a bill designed to help combat the country’s opioid crisis, including measures to reduce barriers to accessing supervised injection sites.
The legislation, tabled by the Liberals in December, also lifts a restriction that bars border guards from inspecting packages under 30 grams in weight, even if they have reason to believe they contain illegal drugs.
It would also impose new restrictions on the import of pill presses and encapsulators —two machines commonly used in the production of illicit drugs.
It is critical for the legislation to pass as soon as possible to save lives, said NDP health critic Don Davies. He pointed to a lack of new injection sites established since stringent criteria were established under the previous Conservative government.