The Government of Saskatchewan introduced legislation on Friday that opens the door for involuntary treatment to those in active addiction.
Premier Scott Moe has said the goal of the new bill — titled the Compassionate Intervention Act — is to get people on a path to recovery. Introduced on the last day of the current legislative session, Moe said this will give time for the finer points of the policy to be hammered out before it comes into force this spring.
“The street is the most vulnerable place for anybody to be living, whether they be struggling with mental health challenges or subsequent addiction challenges,” said Moe.
The bill is expected to pass during the spring sitting of the legislative assembly, which reconvenes on March 2, 2026. It was first promised during the throne speech, which opened the second session of the 30th legislature on Oct. 22.
“There are some people with addictions problems who are simply unable to seek the treatment they need on their own,” read part of the speech delivered by Lt.-Gov. Bernadette McIntyre.
According to the government: “Individuals may only be brought to a Compassionate Intervention Assessment Centre by police or peace officer, referred by a medical professional, or through a judge’s warrant.”
The Saskatchewan NDP has signalled it supports the legislation but has concerns over people who are currently seeking treatment not being able to access care.
Lori Carr, minister of mental health and addiction, said Friday the legislation is for people who “no longer are capable of seeking help on their own, despite serious health and safety risks.”
Carr said the province has already delivered 281 of 500 planned recovery beds for those in the throes of addiction. Beds for people receiving involuntary treatment will be “over and above” that figure.
Carr said many of the 500 beds have been privately delivered, adding that new beds in involuntary centres could also fall under private sector administration.
While the province will now be able to detain and compel treatment on people, Justice Minister Tim McLeod said “it’s important that we recognize you can’t drag somebody down the road to recovery. They have to choose to walk it.”
As such, McLeod and Carr both said the decision to refer someone to involuntary treatment will come from a panel, which will also determine a time frame for treatment and the parameters to get out of the centre.
McLeod said Section 7 and 10 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms — dealing with “life, liberty and security of the person” and “arrest or detention” — will not be infringed upon. He said the legislation was “crafted in a way that it is effective but it’s also guarding individuals’ rights and freedoms.”
alsalloum@postmedia.com
