tashatuvango / Depositphotos.com
OTTAWA — A Conservative member of Parliament has introduced legislation that would impose significantly tougher penalties on people convicted of trafficking and producing fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.
Chak Au, MP for Richmond Centre–Marpole, tabled Bill C-289, known as the Stopping Supply to Save Lives Act. Au says he hopes the legislation will become known as “Emily’s Legacy,” named after a 14-year-old girl who died after being exposed to fentanyl.
The proposed legislation would increase penalties for serious synthetic opioid offences involving fentanyl and related substances.
Under the bill, individuals convicted of trafficking or possessing synthetic opioids for the purpose of trafficking in quantities between 20 and 40 milligrams would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Those convicted of producing, importing, exporting or trafficking more than 40 milligrams of synthetic opioids would face a life sentence under the proposed legislation.
The bill would also require courts to treat offences committed near schools, child-care facilities, treatment centres and other locations serving vulnerable people as aggravating factors during sentencing.
Au said the legislation is aimed at major traffickers and producers rather than people struggling with addiction. The bill does not target simple possession offences.
According to federal data cited by Au, more than 56,000 Canadians have died from opioid toxicity since 2016, with fentanyl involved in most cases.
The legislation must pass through the House of Commons and Senate before becoming law.
Comments