The Ontario government unequivocally opposes Toronto Public Health’s proposal to decriminalize small quantities of illegal drugs for personal use within the city, labeling it as “100 per cent opposed.”
Health Minister Sylvia Jones and Solicitor General Michael Kerzner conveyed their stance in a public letter directed to Toronto’s medical officer of health, denouncing the request as “misguided” and cautioning against its further pursuit.
“Our government will never endorse your request, as it would exacerbate crime and public drug use without offering support to individuals grappling with addiction,” assert the cabinet ministers in their communication.
Jones and Kerzner argue against decriminalization, asserting that it “does not work” and fosters hazardous behavior in public areas, thereby impeding law enforcement efforts to uphold community safety. They cite British Columbia’s recent reversal on decriminalization as evidence of its ineffectiveness.
Should Toronto Public Health persist with its application, the letter hints at the government exploring unspecified measures in response.
The city had petitioned Health Canada early in 2022 for an exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Despite receiving support from the Toronto Police Service, harm reduction experts, and advocates, the initiative faces staunch opposition from the provincial authorities. Similarly, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health has advocated for the decriminalization of personal possession of unregulated drugs.
Toronto Public Health’s report on drug-related fatalities in 2023, totaling 733 suspected cases, underscores the urgency of addressing the issue, with 523 deaths attributed to or strongly suspected of being caused by opioid toxicity.