Did PM really 'legalize hard drugs' in B.C.?

Star examines truth behind Poilievre's strong language on controversial decriminalization policy

- RAISA PATEL

You've probably heard him say it: Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre claims Justin Trudeau's Liberal government "legalized hard drugs" in British Columbia, a move he believes will unleash "chaos and carnage" across Canada.

He's referring to B.C.'s three-year pilot program, which attempts to tackle the province's drug toxicity crisis by decriminalizing the use of small amounts of certain illegal drugs to treat drug use as a health issue instead of a criminal one.

"The Liberal government granted the B.C. NDP's request to allow hard drugs... in the province, including in public places. This reckless and radical and wacko policy has killed 2,500 British Columbians in one year alone," Poilievre said in Vancouver last week, where he announced his party's own legislative effort to curb the use of illicit drugs in hospital settings.

But is there truth behind the charged language Poilievre uses when he talks about the controversial policy?

The Star dove into the Conservative leader's statements as part of its fact-checking series, which scrutinizes popular political slogans and talking points from the leaders of Canada's major federal parties ahead of the next federal election.

Here's what you need to know.

Did Trudeau legalize illicit drugs across B.C.?

No.

What the Liberal government did do was grant the BC. government an exemption the province had sought in 2021 to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

The exemption meant that for three years, adults 18 and older would be allowed to possess a combined total of 2.5 grams of specific illegal drugs for personal use in certain settings without being arrested, charged or having their drugs seized. The goal was to reduce barriers to seeking help for people who use drugs, improve their chances of recovery, and avoid situations where they might turn to more dangerous drug supplies.