Kootenay Columbia MP David Wilks joined with Health Minister Rona Ambrose (land Roxanne James, parliamentary secretary to the minister of public safety, last week in announcing proposed enhancements to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA).
The enhancements update Health Canada’s nearly two-decade-old rules for drug control.
“The proposed changes to the CDSA will equip the Minister of Health and law enforcement officials with better tools to more quickly control dangerous new drugs, combat illegal drug production and distribution, and enable Health Canada inspectors to more effectively ensure compliance in the legitimate controlled substance industry,” Wilks said in a statement.
The CDSA has two core objectives: protecting public health and maintaining public safety. There are a number of areas where Health Canada inspectors, as well as the police, require updated legal authorities in order to keep up with the evolving drug trade. The new legislation introduced today is designed to address those needs, and to address new drug abuse issues.
Wilks said the enhancements will better protect Canadians against the introduction of new designer drugs marketed to youth and the ongoing problem of prescription drug abuse.
“This week, I also had the honour of being elected as the Chair of the Conservative Law Enforcement Caucus,” the former RCMP officer said in his statement. “This important caucus has provided input on several criminal justice bills which help police officers across Canada do their jobs to the best of their ability. I also have the privilege of being a member of the Standing Committee on Justice as well as a Member of the Standing Committee on Health. My involvement in these committees has given me the opportunity to provide valuable input into legislation that strengthens federal laws but more importantly provides police officers with better tools to do their job.”
