Question Period Notes
About this information
In accordance with the Access to Information Act, the government proactively publishes the package of question period notes that were prepared by a government institution for the minister and that were in use on the last sitting day in June and December.
The question period notes may be partially or fully redacted in accordance with the legislation; for example, if the notes contain information related to national security or personal information. (Learn more about exemptions and exclusions.)
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The Government of Canada has established a pan-Canadian no-fault Vaccine Injury Support Program (VISP). The program ensures that all people in Canada who have experienced a serious and permanent injury as a result of receiving a Health Canada authorized vaccine, administered in Canada, on or after December 8, 2020, have access to fair and timely financial support. The new VISP brings Canada in line with a growing number of countries that have such programs in place, including all G7 counterparts.
Our Government remains committed to implementing, and fully funding a national, three-digit mental health crisis and suicide prevention hotline.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened long-standing challenges regarding substance use and the overdose crisis, with most jurisdictions reporting record high rates of overdose deaths and harms.
• In addition, people who use drugs are also facing additional barriers and risks related to the toxicity of the illegal drug supply and reduced access to health and social services, including life-saving harm reduction and treatment services.
• To further support efforts in communities, Budget 2021 provided an additional $116 million over two years to address the opioid overdose crisis and problematic substance use by funding a range of innovative approaches to harm reduction, treatment, and prevention.
• The Cannabis Act requires the Minister of Health to initiate a review of the Act’s administration and operation starting three years after the Act came into force (i.e., after October 17, 2021). The Minister is required to table a report on the review, including any findings or recommendations resulting from it, in both Houses of Parliament no later than 18 months after the review begins.
• Successive court decisions have established the right of individuals to have reasonable access to cannabis for medical purposes. The Government is committed to ensuring reasonable access to cannabis for medical purposes for individuals who have the support of their health care practitioner.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened long-standing challenges regarding substance use and the overdose crisis, with most jurisdictions reporting record high rates of overdose deaths and harms.
• In addition, people who use drugs are also facing additional barriers and risks related to the toxicity of the illegal drug supply and reduced access to health and social services, including life-saving harm reduction and treatment.
• There is significant interest in the potential use of psychedelics, particularly psilocybin (“magic mushrooms”) and MDMA, for the treatment of a variety of serious mental health conditions including major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. At present, there are no drugs containing psilocybin approved for sale in Canada or internationally. Patients, practitioners and researchers are asking Health Canada to consider increasing access to psychedelics so they can explore their potential use as therapeutic products.
• In response to the ongoing overdose crisis, the Government of Canada is receiving increasing interest from stakeholders and multiple jurisdictions across Canada to use section 56 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act as the fastest mechanism to allow for the possession of small amounts of controlled substances for personal use.
• Two jurisdictions – the Province of British Columbia and the City of Vancouver – have formally requested exemptions from federal drug laws to allow for the personal possession of controlled substances in those jurisdictions. Further requests are expected, including from the City of Toronto by mid-December.
• Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and premature death in this country, killing approximately 48,000 Canadians each year. The Government has an ambitious target to reduce tobacco use to less than 5% by 2035.
• Since late 2018, the Government of Canada has implemented a comprehensive suite of measures to address youth vaping, including enhanced public education, increased compliance and enforcement of existing rules and advancing regulations to put in place more controls.