Justice

During Question Period on justice matters, a Conservative member raised a B.C. Supreme Court ruling concerning a drug law and asked whether the government would appeal it and support Bill C-289, the Stopping Supply to Save Lives Act, which would toughen penalties for trafficking synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. He said traffickers are flooding communities with deadly drugs and that stronger penalties are needed to save lives. A Liberal minister responded that drug trafficking is a serious offence that can claim innocent lives, and said the decision on whether to appeal rests with the independent Public Prosecution Service of Canada during the appeal period, not with politicians.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

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2 statements

Chak Au, Richmond Centre—Marpole

Conservative

Linked statement

“Traffickers are bringing deadly drugs into our communities, and Canadians need protection. Our plan gives tougher penalties to serious drug dealers to save lives. I want to know if the government will appeal the court decision on drug dealing and support this bill.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the B.C. Supreme Court struck down a law that would make drug dealing even more legal across Canada. Canadians need protection from traffickers flooding our communities with deadly drugs. Our Conservative plan, alongside Bill C-289, would toughen penalties for serious fentanyl traffickers and save lives. Will the Liberal government appeal the ruling and support the legislation that Canadians need to stop the drug supply in our streets and save lives, yes or no?

Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Liberal
“Selling illegal drugs is a serious crime that kills innocent people. Independent prosecutors, not politicians, must decide whether to appeal this court ruling. We must let them do their job without political interference.”
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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, drug trafficking is a very serious offence that can claim the lives of innocent people in this country. The case to which the hon. member refers is currently under the appeal period, during which the independent Public Prosecution Service of Canada has an opportunity to make a decision, separate and apart from the political arm of government, as to whether it is in the interest of justice to further pursue an appeal. I look forward to seeing the independent prosecutor discharge their responsibilities in accordance with the law in order to help protect communities. They are going to have an opportunity to do that independently, as it should be.

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