SASKATOON—Justice Minister Tim McLeod outlined three steps the government is taking to remove illegal substances such as fentanyl from the streets, renewing its commitment to ensuring public safety across the province. Public safety remains a priority for the Saskatchewan Party-led government, alongside affordability, education and health care, McLeod stated during his visit to Saskatoon on Tuesday.
McLeod, the 小蓝视频 for Moose Jaw North and also the Attorney General, was joined by Saskatoon Mayor Cynthia Block, Saskatoon Police Chief Cameron McBride and Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand when he announced the province’s additional measures to combat fentanyl, methamphetamine and other illicit drugs.
The government house leader emphasized that under Premier Scott Moe, the government is taking serious action to prevent illegal substances from reaching the streets. uring the campaign, this was part of their health and public safety commitments to prevent further harm to Saskatchewan residents while providing easy access to rehabilitation programs.
“Tragically, in recent years, we have seen a rise in fentanyl and methamphetamine overdoses and deaths. We must recognize these substances for what they are. They are lethal poisons that need to be eradicated from our communities. The rising number of drug-related deaths and overdoses is not just a statistic; it is a reality affecting many of our families and our neighbourhoods,” McLeod said.
“The hard truth is that no one is immune from the harmful effects of these drugs. No town, no family, no individual is truly safe from the far-reaching grip of illegal drug use. So, I'm grateful to have these community leaders here with me today as we share our concerns and recognize the urgent need for action. That's why we're here to announce the steps our government is taking to increase the tools available to accomplish three things.”
He said the government’s focus is on removing drugs such as fentanyl and crystal meth from communities; preventing substance abuse and helping people access treatment; and prosecuting traffickers who profit from the suffering of others. The new measures will impose fines and penalties of up to $1 million, with health officials instructed to draft stricter regulations to curb production, transportation and distribution.
“These rules are meant to protect the health and safety of Saskatchewan's residents and ensure that the province's medical system is not put at risk by illegal drug labs and traffickers. Next, the Civil Forfeiture Office, in collaboration with police services, will increase its focus on fentanyl and methamphetamine-related offenders using the Seizure of Criminal Property Act. This law allows the government to seize property gained through illegal activities or used to commit crimes,” McLeod said.
“Taking away these assets will help ensure that offenders lose any property or money connected to their crimes, making it harder for them to continue their illegal and dangerous activities and disincentivizing their behaviour. Furthermore, the Warrant Intelligence Team will prioritize drug-related offenders to ensure they are swiftly apprehended by police and held accountable as ordered by the courts. The Warrant Intelligence Team will also work with government ministries to suspend government benefits for these offenders while out on warrants.”
McLeod added that while U.S. President Donald Trump has used the issue of fentanyl as a bargaining chip in imposing 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods, the Saskatchewan government remains focused on its fight against illegal substances to create a safer environment in the province. He emphasized that law enforcement agencies require support from various community partners to curb fentanyl and methamphetamine use, with the ultimate goal of saving lives and protecting families.
“With these new measures, our government is taking decisive action to remove these dangerous substances from our communities and prevent them from harming the health and well-小蓝视频 of our province. While the measures that we're taking may help in the conversations around tariffs, the focus of our attention is on the health and well-小蓝视频 of our communities. The driving force behind these measures is to protect our communities and improve public safety. If this helps the conversations around tariffs, that's a benefit. Still, our primary focus as the Government of Saskatchewan is on the health and well-小蓝视频 of our communities,” McLeod said.
