Saskatchewan’s proposed legislation will allow residents to sue drug offenders

The province is planning new legislation that will give residents and the government the right to sue drug traffickers.

The provincial government introduced The Response To Illicit Drugs Act Wednesday afternoon.

The Act would complement existing federal drug laws by creating provincial civil measures that target significant impacts of trafficking, producing, importing, and exporting highly addictive drugs found in Schedule I to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). It would exclude simple possession.

“We want to ensure that those who profit from the production and trafficking of deadly substances face meaningful consequences here in Saskatchewan,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod, K.C. said in a media release. “This legislation gives government and individuals clear pathways to recover costs and seek damages for harms caused by drug offenders, while ensuring we continue supporting people living with addictions through record investments in treatment and recovery.”

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Key clauses of the Act include:

• Creating a statutory right for the province and individuals harmed by drug offenders to pursue civil action and recover costs associated with illicit drug production and trafficking; and,
• Allowing certain appointments, grants, or agreements made by the Government of Saskatchewan to be declared void if an individual or entity is convicted of certain Schedule I drug offences.

The Act follows the 2025-26 provincial budget that includes $624 million to enhance access to mental health and addiction services in Saskatchewan. The government has said close to 300 new addiction treatment spaces have been built, nearing the provincial goal of 500 new addiction treatment spaces.

As part of the public safety component, the province has pledged $11.9 million for approximately 100 new municipal police officers and $2.5 million over three years for the Saskatchewan Police College.

In February, the province increased the maximum fine for certain drug trafficking offences to $1 million.

The government also plans to introduce The Compassionate Intervention Act during the fall sitting. While the government denies it supports “forced” or “involuntary” treatment, the proposed legislation would focus on directing those suffering with addictions to get help with the assistance of law enforcement.

“We are going to provide them, at the direction of our enforcement officers and a panel, the opportunity to enter recovery,” Premier Scott Moe told reporters on Oct. 21.

“If you want a safe community, you need to have recovery-based opportunities, and we’re building that capacity,” he added. “But you also need our enforcement officers to enforce the law.”

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