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On April 4, 2022, the Legislative Assembly empowered the Select Standing Committee on Health to examine the urgent and ongoing illicit drug toxicity and overdose crisis.
For the full text of the Committee's mandate and referral, please see the Terms of Reference.
The Committee will release its report and recommendations by November 2, 2022.
Terms of Reference
On April 4, 2022, the Legislative Assembly agreed that the Select Standing Committee on Health be empowered to examine the urgent and ongoing illicit drug toxicity and overdose crisis, and in particular:
The increasing toxicity of illicit drug supplies in British Columbia, including but not limited to, trends in the patterns of use of illicit drugs, the illegal drug market, the role of organized crime, and the rapid increase in toxicity coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic;
The systems and services guiding government responses to illicit drug supplies and toxicity deaths and injuries in Canada (federal, provincial, territorial and local) and other jurisdictions; and,
Relevant and recent reports, studies and examinations as the Committee deems appropriate.
That the Committee make recommendations with respect to:
Responding to the crisis with reforms and initiatives by the Province and local governments, including those which may require federal approval;
Continuing to build an evidence-based continuum of care that encompasses prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery; and,
Expanding access to safer drug supplies, implementing decriminalization, and disrupting illicit toxic drug supplies.
That, in addition to the powers previously conferred upon Select Standing Committees of the House, the Select Standing Committee on Health be empowered to:
appoint of its number one or more subcommittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the Committee and to delegate to the subcommittees all or any of its powers except the power to report directly to the House;
sit during a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess after prorogation until the next following Session and during any sitting of the House;
conduct consultations by any means the Committee considers appropriate;
adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; and,
retain personnel as required to assist the Committee.
That the Committee report to the House by November 2, 2022, and that during a period of adjournment, the Committee deposit its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, or in the next following Session, as the case may be, the Chair present all reports to the House.
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Meeting Documents
Meeting: Select Standing Committee on Health | https://www.leg.bc.ca/parliamentary-business/committees-calendar/20220516-health-0800 | Select Standing Committee on Health | <p><a href="/content/CommitteeDocuments/42nd-parliament/3rd-session/health/2022-05-16/01_BCCS_Illicit_Drug_Presentation.pdf" target="_blank">BC Coroners Service, presentation, Illicit Drug Toxicity Deaths in BC</a></p> | | | | 5/16/2022 3:00:00 PM | Meeting: Select Standing Committee on Health | | | |
Meeting: Select Standing Committee on Health | https://www.leg.bc.ca/parliamentary-business/committees-calendar/20220504-health-1000 | Select Standing Committee on Health | <a href="/content/CommitteeDocuments/42nd-parliament/3rd-session/health/2022-05-04/BCCDC_Presentation_Drug-Toxicity-BC.pdf" target="_blank"><p>British Columbia Centre for Disease Control presentation, <em>The urgent and ongoing illicit drug toxicity and overdose crisis</em></p></a><p><a href="/content/CommitteeDocuments/42nd-parliament/3rd-session/health/2022-05-04/BCCSU-Presentation.pdf" target="_blank"><em>British Columbia Centre on Substance Use presentation, The toxic Drug Crisis: Urgent Response is Needed</em></a></p> | | | | 5/4/2022 5:00:00 PM | Meeting: Select Standing Committee on Health | | | |
Meeting: Select Standing Committee on Health | https://www.leg.bc.ca/parliamentary-business/committees-calendar/20220502-health-0800 | Select Standing Committee on Health | <p><a href="/content/CommitteeDocuments/42nd-parliament/3rd-session/health/2022-05-02/PHO_Presentation_Drug-Toxicity-BC.pdf" target="_blank">Office of the Provincial Health Officer presentation, <em>The Drug-Toxicity Public Health Emergency in British Columbia</em></a></p><p><a href="/content/CommitteeDocuments/42nd-parliament/3rd-session/health/2022-05-02/PHO_Journey-Mapping-Substance-Use-Report.pdf" target="_blank">Ministry of Health, First Nations Health Authority, BC Patient Safety & Quality Council, General Practice Services Committee report, <em>Journey Mapping Substance Use Treatment, An Exploration of Health Care Provider and Peer Experiences in Delivering and Receiving Primary Care</em></a></p><p><a href="/content/CommitteeDocuments/42nd-parliament/3rd-session/health/2022-05-02/FNHA_Presentation_Drug-Toxicity-BC.pdf" target="_blank">First Nations Health Authority presentation, <em>BC's Toxic Drug Emergency, Advancing a First Nations Response</em></a><em></em></p> | | | | 5/2/2022 3:00:00 PM | Meeting: Select Standing Committee on Health | | | |
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