If you care about harm reduction, people who use drugs (PWUD), and unhoused community, watch out for these upcoming Ontario Bills.
Bill 6: (previously Bill 242) criminalises people using substances in “public places” and in “structures”; and expands the Trespass to Property Act — a concern for PWUD, unhoused people at encampments, may also be used against various people simply on so-called “private property” — possible penalty includes arrest without warrant, max $10,000 fine, and/or imprisonment — urgent: second reading tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday May 6) will likely be pushed through without little debate.
https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-44/session-1/bill-6
Bill 10: (schedule 8) penalises residential and commercial (private and non-profit) landlords seen as permitting or participating in drug production or trafficking (including cannabis); and provides for recovery of enforcement costs (extensive $) — a concern for tenants who use drugs, sublet-ers, social housing providers, other social service providers (e.g., shelters, drop-ins, existing/medical centre integrated versions of OPSs/SCSs, etc.), and possibly dispensaries and similar. https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-44/session-1/bill-10
Bill 238: (schedule 2) gives Minister power to enforce emergency measures on municipalities and service providers — possibility of being used against encampments and harm reduction services — comes with threat of service or municipal defunding, funding cuts (e.g., diminishing or eliminating homelessness related funding for not clearing encampments), or fines (a max of $5,000 for individuals to a max 25,000 otherwise).
https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-43/session-1/bill-238
Bill 9: addresses municipal councillor conduct with penalties — possibility of being weaponised against Councillors who dissent from Conservatives. https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-44/session-1/bill-9
Through the grapevine: possible Bill proposal coming up for forcing incarcerated people into drug treatment.
Disclaimer: Much of this information arises from community and ought to be credited to community <3 Also, this is an interpretation of legislature from someone with no formal legal training. Here is a link to that legislature:https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/current
This information is intended to be informative and not reactionary. Please be in touch if you know more.
#HarmReduction #SafeConsumptionSites #OverdosePreventionSites
#Homelessness #Ontario #Toronto
