Bill C-216, also known as the Health-based Approach to Substance Use Act, makes changes to how Canada deals with drugs and substance use. It has three main parts:
First, it changes the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. It gets rid of the rule that says it's against the law to have certain drugs. It also makes some smaller changes to other laws to match this change.
Second, it creates the Expungement of Certain Drug-related Convictions Act. This act allows people who were found guilty of having certain drugs to ask to have their record cleared. If their record is cleared, it's like they were never charged or found guilty of the crime. The Parole Board of Canada will handle these requests. If the request is approved, any record of the crime in government files will be removed or destroyed.
Third, it creates the National Strategy on Substance Use Act. This act says that the Minister of Health must create a plan to deal with the harm caused by drug use. The plan will focus on health and helping people. The Minister must talk to different groups, like health workers and people who have struggled with drug use, when creating the plan. The plan must include ways to help people get safe drugs, treatment, and support. It also aims to reduce the shame associated with drug use. The Minister of Health must create a report on the plan and share it with Parliament.
Crime
This bill changes how the law treats drug possession. It removes the part of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act that makes it a crime to possess certain substances. The bill also creates a way for people with past convictions for these offences to have their records cleared. This means that the conviction will be removed from their record, and it will be as if it never happened.