Police services across Canada are keeping their eye on a three-year pilot program in British Columbia where small amounts of illicit drugs are being decriminalized.  

As part of the pilot program, B.C. was given an exemption from the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act last year. The pilot began on Tuesday and is set to last until Jan. 31, 2026.  

The pilot would allow an individual to possess up to 2.5 grams of cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy and opioids.  

Moose Jaw Police Service Chief Rick Bourassa, who is also the president of the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police, said police chiefs provincially and federally have supported the concept behind decriminalization as long as the supports and resources are in place first.  

“We see this as a health issue, and we know from discussions with the chief coroner that there have been serious implications here in the last few years where the number of deaths attributed to overdoses has increased significantly,” said Bourassa. 

Bourassa commented that decriminalization is a complex matter that would involve a number of parties and not just the police. Some of those partners include mental health workers, the healthcare sector and the provincial government.  

The idea behind decriminalization is to remove the stigma that drug users are criminals and users might be more willing to reach out for help without the fear of potentially being charged. It would also shift the issue of addictions from a policing issue to healthcare.  

Bourassa noted that there is a principle in Canadian policing that officers can use discretion when it comes to laying charges.  

“That means that every time an officer encounters somebody, they don't have to necessarily go to a charge if there's some illegality going on. There are other means, there are alternative measures, there are warnings, there are other mechanisms for dealing with those situations including laying a charge if need be,” Bourassa explained.  

That being said, decriminalization only applies to possession for personal use. Selling or trafficking illicit drugs or possession for the purpose of trafficking will remain illegal in B.C.  

Bourassa said there have been no formal talks about decriminalization with the association of chiefs of police, but they are watching carefully what is happening in B.C., staying in contact with their colleagues and will be prepared to have those discussions if needed.