WHEREAS Canadas role as a producer and exporter of manufactured drugs, such as crystal meth and ecstasy, has been increasing over the last few years; AND WHEREAS organized criminal groups are operating laboratories to manufacture amphetamine-type stimulants and are major suppliers to the USA, Australian and European markets; AND WHEREAS legislation to control the importation of substances used to produce amphetamine-type stimulants has been shown to be effective in deterring drug production in other countries; AND WHEREAS Canada has obligations under the 1988 United Nations Convention to take steps to prevent the diversion of precursor substances and to monitor their manufacture and distribution with a view to reducing significantly the manufacture of synthetic drugs: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities be requested to call upon the Province of BC to work with its federal counterparts to enact more stringent regulations under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and Precursor Control Regulations to: 1. restrict the importation of key precursor products and ensure that only legitimate manufacturers are able to obtain precursor chemicals; and 2. enforce the regulations and monitor the end use from bulk sales of precursor chemicals.
Ministry of Public Safety Solicitor General British Columbia has repeatedly written and met with the federal government to address the gaps in the precursor regulatory scheme and increase the maximum penalties for synthetic drug offences. BC has endorsed the federal private members Bill C-475 which creates new offences for knowingly owning, using and selling any materials and equipment used in the production of methamphetamine and ecstasy. The Bill has been passed by the House of Commons and is now before the Senate. The Province has also pressed the federal government for more rigorous standards for licensees who import and sell precursors to stop precursors from being diverted into synthetic drug production including mandatory reporting to police of all suspicious sales of precursors. As a result of BCs lobbying efforts, Health Canada has increased the number of inspectors in this province, but more effort is required by the federal government on this issue. The Province continues to focus its efforts on alleviating the harm that illicit drugs cause in our communities and will continue to work with other agencies to achieve progress in reducing the effects of the drug trade in this province.
Ministry of Public Safety In Resolution B64, you have raised important concerns about the potential for diversion of precursor chemicals and the need to regulate and monitor the end use from bulk sales. As you may know, Budget 2007 set aside 232M over five years to implement Canadas National Anti-Drug Strategy, which focuses on three priority areas: combating illicit drug production and distribution 102M; preventing illicit drug use 30M; and treating and rehabilitating those with illicit drug dependencies 100M. Specific to combating the production and distribution of illicit drugs, Public Safety Canada leads the enforcement action plan, which proactively targets organized crime involvement in illicit drug production and distribution operations, including marihuana grow operations and clandestine laboratories. Under the umbrella of the National Anti-Drug Strategy enforcement action plan, the government launched the Synthetic Drug Initiative on August 25, 2009. Led by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police RCMP and in coordination with other federal departments, including Justice Canada, Health Canada, Canada Border Services Agency, Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Public Safety Canada, this initiative is designed to combat the production and distribution of illegal synthetic drugs in Canada, such as methamphetamine and Ecstasy, and to reduce the overall influence or organized crime on drug trafficking in this country. The Synthetic Drug Initiative represents the first government strategy to focus on a single class of drugs by targeting the illicit synthetic drug industry on three fronts: enforcement, deterrence and prevention. It also aims to inhibit the diversion or precursor chemicals from foreign and domestic sources. As the regulation and monitoring or precursor chemicals falls under the responsibility of the Minister of Health, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, I have taken the liberty of forwarding a copy of this correspondence to Minister Aglukkaq for her use for her use and information.