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UPDATED: Port Coquitlam council backs MP bill

Newly elect Liberal MP Ron McKinnon is making the rounds with Tri-City city councils to try to gain local support for his private member's bill.
mckinnon
MP Ron McKinnon

Rookie Liberal MP Ron McKinnon has at least one Tri-City council on his side with his private member's bill, the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act.

On Monday, Port Coquitlam city council unanimously backed McKinnon's proposed legislation after he appeared before the city's community safety committee last Thursday.

McKinnon also met with Port Moody's mayor and police chief last week to drum up support; a meeting with Coquitlam city council is still in the works.

The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act was tabled in the House of Commons in February and aims to lift the fear of reporting a drug overdose by providing those who call 911 during an overdose amnesty from being charged with drug possession. His bill comes two years after the House Standing Committee on Health recommended considering an overdose immunity law.

Last year, the BC Coroner's Service logged 465 apparent illicit drug overdose deaths considered "accidental" or "undetermined" — a 27% jump from the previous year.

jwarren@tricitynews.com
@jwarrenTC