Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam MP Ron McKinnon hopes his luck in a lottery for private member's bills will mean lives can be saved through timely intervention with people overdosing on illegal drugs.
McKinnon was expected to table the "Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act" in the House of Commons this afternoon (Monday).
If approved, the bill would ensure those who call 911 during an emergency overdose situation are not charged with possession. The immunity from charges would also apply to bystanders or the person suffering the overdose, but would not apply to traffickers or individuals driving while impaired.
McKinnon said the bill was chosen because of the high numbers of overdoses, as many as 465 in 2015 according to the B.C. Coroner's Service, and recommendations by health experts.
He was given the opportunity to submit the private member's bill to parliament's lottery at the beginning of the winter session, and his bill was picked eighth in the lottery, giving it a good chance of getting through the parliamentary session.
McKinnon said he expects it to be endorsed by both the Liberals and the NDP although he's not certain of Conservative support.
"People who see it as a law and order issue might have problems with it, those who think it's a health issue as I do, realize it's about saving lives," said McKinnon, who said his plans are to introduce the bill for first reading today.
It has to jump several hurdles before it becomes law, however, including first, second and third reading approval, passage throughout the senate, proclamation by the Governor General and printing in the Canada Gazette. "This could happen in the spring, it might not happen until the fall. "With this parliament thing it's become clear to me that things move at a glacial pace."
