NDP MP Gord Johns pushes for audit of government’s response to toxic drug crisis « Canada’s NDP

September 25, 2024 at 8:15 am  Federal, Politics

OTTAWA – On Tuesday, the parliamentary health committee passed an NDP motion moved by NDP critic for Mental Health and Harm Reduction Gord Johns (Courtenay—Alberni) to recommend the Auditor General conduct an audit of the federal government’s response to the toxic drug crisis.

Between January 2016 and March 2024, 47,162 Canadians have died due to drug poisoning. While the government claims to have committed more than $1 billion since 2017 to address this crisis, opioid-related deaths have risen from an average of eight per day to 21 since national surveillance began.

“Families and communities continue to be devastated by the toxic drug poisoning crisis and it’s time for transparency and accountability on the government’s response. We’ve had numerous audits look at the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we’ve yet to have one on a crisis that’s taken thousands of Canadian lives,” said Johns. “Canadians deserve a clear picture on how the government is managing its response to this tragic crisis, including whether it’s delivering supports to Canadians in an equitable way.”

Gord pointed to the latest round of grants under the Substance Use and Addictions program that raises serious concern about geographic disparities in the government’s distribution of funding—First Nations and vulnerable populations are skipped and left behind without services in the communities where they live.

“It’s clear we need to do more to turn the tide on this crisis, and I hope an audit on the response to date will be initiated to help inform the path forward so we can save lives. Canadians depend on it,” added Johns.

View the full article from the original source

No conversations yet

Activity Stream

Thu, Feb 6, 2025 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: Creating neighbourhood networks for nature’s pollinator superheroes
Thu, Jan 30, 2025 at 2:05 pm - Kamloops Film Society posted on their blog: The KFS in the Media
Thu, Jan 30, 2025 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: Overcoming climate change requires system change
Thu, Jan 23, 2025 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: Los Angeles wildfires illustrate climate “whiplash” effect
Wed, Jan 22, 2025 at 1:54 pm - Jeanette Pehota created a Creative Profile for J
Thu, Jan 16, 2025 at 9:00 am - Doug Smith posted on their blog: Dogwood Marshes – McConnell Lake Loop
Thu, Jan 16, 2025 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: Car culture is driving us to disaster
Sun, Jan 12, 2025 at 9:00 am - Doug Smith posted on their blog: Snowshoeing the Dogwood Marshes – KamloopsTrails
Thu, Jan 9, 2025 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: We can all take part in the great transformation
Full Stream