Regional council asks feds to study decriminalization of drug possession
After bouncing between the full council and committee, Niagara’s regional councillors have voted narrowly to ask the federal government to study the decriminalization of possession of all drugs.
“We aren’t asking the federal government for a decision; we are simply asking for a study,” St. Catharines Coun. Laura Ip said Thursday night. “We aren’t demanding anything of them.”
The critical vote, which passed 16-13, urged Ottawa to decriminalize possession of all drugs for personal use and scale up services for prevention, harm reduction and treatment.
Ip reminded councillors the motion wasn’t calling for the legalization of drugs, either.
Decriminalization would allow those caught for possession to stay clear of the criminal justice system by paying a fine and receiving treatment.
Ip said councillors have heard from groups that support the decision, including Positive Living Niagara, Niagara’s medical officer of health and public health agencies across the country that call for the same thing — an approach based on evidence.
“If addressing addiction, mental health and trauma through public health measures instead of criminal justice measures isn’t something you want to do simply out of compassion for people living with these concerns, at least vote on the public health approach,” she said.
Peter Nicholson, a Niagara Falls councillor, said decriminalization sends the wrong message to children and youth.
“I believe that criminality of drugs is a deterrent for people,” he said. “I have heard the people are afraid to ask for help because of the criminality aspect.
I believe many people don’t try drugs because of the criminality aspect.
“If the federal government were to act on our request with respect to decriminalizing drugs for personal use, it would normalize drug use,” he said. “These drugs are highly addictive, and it would have the adverse effect of increasing addictions and usage.”
Voting yes were Barb Butters and Mayor Bill Steele of Port Colborne; Mayor Frank Campion (Welland); George Darte, Kelly Edgar, Brian Heit, Tim Rigby, Mayor Walter Sendzik and Ip (St. Catharines); Mayor Sandra Easton (Lincoln); Bob Gale (Niagara Falls); Diane Huson (Pelham); Mayor Jeff Jordan (Grimsby); Mayor Wayne Redekop (Fort Erie); Mayor Terry Ugulini (Thorold) and Albert Witteveen (West Lincoln).
Voting no were Mayor Dave Bylsma (West Lincoln); Mayor Jim Diodati, Barb Greenwood and Nicholson (Niagara Falls); Lord Mayor Betty Disero and Gary Zalepa (Niagara-on-the-Lake); Wayne Fertich (Grimsby) and Rob Foster (Lincoln); Mayor Kevin Gibson (Wainfleet); Tom Insinna (Fort Erie); Mayor Marvin Junkin (Pelham); Leanna Villella (Welland) and Tim Whalen (Thorold).
Councillors also passed two other parts of the motion.
The second part asked that the federal government form a task force composed of people who use drugs and family members, and policy, research and program experts in public health, human rights, substance use, mental health and criminal justice.
The task force would explore options for the legal regulation of all drugs in Canada based on a public health approach.
The third part asked staff to circulate the motion to various agencies, including the federal and provincial ministers of health, the attorneys general, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, Niagara’s federal and provincial representatives, and all 12 municipalities.