Skip to Main content

24.92°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

May 11, 2021 9:47 PM -

Coalition of 15 groups wants City of Vancouver and federal government to rethink plans for drug decriminalization

Share On

coalition-of-15-groups-wants-city-of-vancouver-and-federal-government-to-rethink-plans-for-drug-decriminalization

Minister of Health Patty Hajdu responds to a question during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

A coalition of 15 groups wants the City of Vancouver and the federal government to rethink plans for drug decriminalization.

The coalition says users have been excluded from discussions with the federal health department about decriminalization, meaning current proposals, if adopted unchanged, could do more harm that good.

In a letter to Health Minister Patty Hajdu, the coalition says police have too much input in developing what is being called the ``Vancouver model'' of decriminalization covering simple possession of small amounts of drugs.

The Vancouver model suggests people should be allowed to carry a three-day supply of their illicit drugs without consequences, but critics say that's too low and could disqualifying long-term drug uses from legal protection.

Vancouver has been the epicentre of an opioid crisis that saw British Columbia record 1,176 illicit drug overdose deaths in 2020, the highest ever in a single year, and more than 7,000 deaths since a public-health emergency was declared in April 2016.

Latest news

CanadaJul 20, 2026

Canada Child Benefit payments increase takes effect today, millions of families to receive higher amounts

Higher Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payments began rolling out today following the federal government's annual benefit adjustment. According to the Government of Canada, the increase is expected to benefit approximately 3.6 million families and about 6 million children across the country. Under the updated benefit rates, eligible families can receive up to $8,157 annually for each child under the age of six, an increase of $160 from the previous benefit year. For children aged six to 17, the maximum annual payment has increased to $6,883, up $135 from last year. According to the Canada Revenue A

at-least-930-dead-as-congos-ebola-outbreak-continues-to-grow

WorldJul 20, 2026

At least 930 dead as Congo's Ebola outbreak continues to grow

At least 930 people have died in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Ebola outbreak, according to the country's Ministry of Health. The ministry said 2,344 Ebola cases had been confirmed as of Saturday. In an overnight update into Monday, officials reported 37 additional deaths in the previous 24 hours, marking one of the highest single-day death totals recorded during the outbreak. According to the Ministry of Health, the outbreak was declared in eastern Congo on May 15 and has become the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record. Health officials said the outbreak is caused by the Bundibug

multiple-arrests-made-as-rcmp-execute-coordinated-raids-in-maple-ridge

Multiple arrests made as RCMP execute coordinated raids in Maple Ridge

Multiple people were arrested after the Maple Ridge RCMP carried out coordinated search warrants at several properties across the city on Saturday as part of an ongoing covert investigation. According to the Maple Ridge RCMP, the operation involved armed police officers, a helicopter and police service dogs. Simultaneous searches were conducted at multiple properties in the Port Haney Wharf and Silver Valley areas. Police have not disclosed the number of arrests or identified those taken into custody. Reports indicate the operation began at approximately 4:30 p.m. and continued for about four

lightning-sparks-surge-in-b-c-wildfires-as-more-than-100-fires-burn-across-province

Lightning sparks surge in B.C. wildfires as more than 100 fires burn across province

British Columbia is experiencing a sharp increase in wildfire activity following widespread lightning strikes across the province. According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, the number of active wildfires climbed from about 20 on Wednesday morning to more than 100 by the weekend. As of Monday, 102 wildfires were burning across the province, including 12 that were discovered within the previous 24 hours. The agency said approximately 40 per cent of the active wildfires are classified as out of control. Most of the fires are located in B.C.'s Southern Interior region, where firefighting efforts con

AlbertaJul 20, 2026

More than 100 volunteers, Calgary police continue search for missing autistic 11-year-old boy

More than 100 trained volunteers joined Calgary police on Sunday as the search continued for Parker, an 11-year-old autistic boy who is non-verbal and has been missing since Thursday afternoon. According to the Calgary Police Service, approximately 120 trained volunteers are assisting officers, including police dog teams and bike patrols, in search efforts across areas connected to Parker's last known movements and reported sightings. Police are also playing his favourite Disney songs from patrol vehicles in the hope the familiar music may encourage him to respond. Parker was last seen Thursda

Related News

Multiple arrests made as RCMP execute coordinated raids in Maple Ridge

Multiple arrests made as RCMP execute coordinated raids in Maple Ridge

Multiple people were arrested after the Maple Ridge RCMP carried out coordinated search warrants at several properties across the city on Saturday as part of an ongoing covert investigation. According to the Maple Ridge RCMP, the operation involved armed police officers, a helicopter and police service dogs. Simultaneous searches were conducted at multiple properties in the Port Haney Wharf and Silver Valley areas. Police have not disclosed the number of arrests or identified those taken into custody. Reports indicate the operation began at approximately 4:30 p.m. and continued for about four

Lightning sparks surge in B.C. wildfires as more than 100 fires burn across province

Lightning sparks surge in B.C. wildfires as more than 100 fires burn across province

British Columbia is experiencing a sharp increase in wildfire activity following widespread lightning strikes across the province. According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, the number of active wildfires climbed from about 20 on Wednesday morning to more than 100 by the weekend. As of Monday, 102 wildfires were burning across the province, including 12 that were discovered within the previous 24 hours. The agency said approximately 40 per cent of the active wildfires are classified as out of control. Most of the fires are located in B.C.'s Southern Interior region, where firefighting efforts con

Mexico rejects claims of separate U.S. trade deal, reaffirms support for CUSMA

Mexico rejects claims of separate U.S. trade deal, reaffirms support for CUSMA

Mexico is not seeking a separate bilateral trade agreement with the United States that would exclude Canada, Mexican Foreign Affairs Secretary Roberto Velasco Álvarez said Friday, reaffirming his country's commitment to the trilateral Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Speaking alongside Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand at a joint news conference in Ottawa, Álvarez said Mexico remains committed to maintaining the existing three-country trade pact. He said ongoing bilateral meetings with the United States should not be interpreted as an effort to sideline Canada.

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital