On October 21, 2019, Canadians will head to the polls for a federal election. This is our chance to decide what kind of government we want — and at the Legal Network we’re hoping for one that upholds and actively promotes health and human rights.
On this page you’ll find resources related to the election including answers from political parties to our questions on health and human rights issues.
QUESTIONNAIRE
We circulated a questionnaire to each of the major federal parties — the Liberal Party of Canada, Conservative Party of Canada, New Democratic Party of Canada, Bloc Québécois and Green Party of Canada.
We wanted to better understand their positions on five critical issues related to HIV and human rights, and to equip you with need-to-know information before you head to the polls.
Here’s what we asked about:
- Restoring funds to the federal HIV strategy
- Harm reduction services and evidence-based drug policy
- Prison-based needle and syringe programs
- Limiting the overcriminalization of HIV
- Protecting the health and human rights of sex workers
And here are their responses (compiled):
You can find each party’s response here: Liberal Party of Canada, New Democratic Party of Canada, Bloc Québécois, Green Party of Canada. Note: We’ve not yet heard back from every political party. We’ll update the document with their responses if/when we do.
ELECTION FOCUS: HARM REDUCTION
We’re facing a crisis. And our response will determine life or death for some of our friends, family, colleagues and community members.
The overdose crisis, fueled by a contaminated drug supply, is killing at an alarming rate. In the past four years, more than 11,500 people have died. And there’s no end in sight.
But with the election of a new federal government in October, we have a chance to make a difference. If our political party leaders are serious about saving lives and curbing the overdose crisis, they should immediately commit to supporting harm reduction services — especially supervised consumption and overdose prevention sites.
These services provide places where people can use drugs safely under the supervision of trained staff and volunteers. They are proven to save lives. They help prevent infections such as HIV and hepatitis C. They give people a safe space. They connect people to treatment and other supports. They are essential and urgently needed.
GET INVOLVED
We have two actions to help you get involved and add your voice to this campaign.
- Sign our petition! We’re demanding a commitment from all political party leaders to support supervised consumption and overdose prevention sites.
- Get in touch with the candidates in your riding and let them know that you support harm reduction efforts in your community! We’ve launched a resource to help you learn how to speak with your candidates (i.e. your future MP). Your voice matters to them. You can help get this important issue on their agenda. You can help save lives.
MEDIA
Here we will be putting links to some relevant media articles. Make sure to check back regularly.
Global News: ‘The largest health crisis of our generation’: How each federal party plans to deal with the opioid crisis
Global News: Federal Election 2019: Singh says NDP would declare public health emergency over opioid epidemic on day 1
Elizabeth May’s Drug Decriminalization Plan Makes No Sense
Andrew Scheer slams ‘terrible’ Liberal approach to safe injection sites
Trudeau confirms that the Liberals are not looking to decriminalize drugs
Crise des surdoses au Canada | Élections Canada 2019 (French)
More than 150 human rights groups demand decriminalization of sex work after the election
Why the opioid crisis isn’t a bigger federal election issue
The Liberals promise to expand drug treatment courts — but will this reduce harm?
216 groups call on federal parties to make LGBTQ2 rights a campaign issue
Singh confronts opioid crisis during B.C. campaign, stops short of promising safe supply
The Opioid Crisis Should Be a Key Election Issue: Here’s Where the Parties Stand