A piece of legislation that makes it easier to open supervised injection sites has become law, replacing Harper-era regulations that effectively stalled the harm-reduction service as overdose deaths climbed.
Under Bill C-37, which received royal assent on Thursday, agencies wanting to open a supervised-injection site must meet five streamlined conditions, down from 26 under the previous Respect for Communities Act.
The Liberal government tabled the bill in December. It received final approval on Wednesday, with minor amendments.
Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott called the passing of the bill “very good news.”
“As you well know, we’re facing an overdose epidemic in this country of unprecedented proportions,” she told reporters in Ottawa on Thursday.
