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:

1. 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;

2. 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,

3. Relevant and recent reports, studies and examinations as the Committee deems appropriate.

That the Committee make recommendations with respect to:

1. Responding to the crisis with reforms and initiatives by the Province and local governments, including those which may require federal approval;

2. Continuing to build an evidence-based continuum of care that encompasses prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery; and,

3. 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:

1. 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;

2. 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;

3. conduct consultations by any means the Committee considers appropriate;

4. adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; and,

5. 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.

Contact Information

​Select Standing Committee on Health
c/o Parliamentary Committees Office
Room 224, Parliament Buildings
Victoria, BC V8V 1X4
Canada

Phone: 250-356-2933 (collect) or 1-877-428-8337 (toll-free)
Email: healthcommittee@leg.bc.ca

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