Sask. premier says forced drug treatment legislation coming this fall

WATCH: Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe gave a preview of his party's priorities for the upcoming legislative session, and he's promising to make good on his part

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe signaled his government’s intention of creating spaces for forced addictions treatment when the legislative session resumes on Wednesday.

Speaking at CNA West, a nuclear energy conference in Saskatoon hosted by the Canadian Nuclear Association, Moe gave a sneak peek of his party’s plans for the coming year before he gives his throne speech at the legislature on Wednesday.

Among the key initiatives, Moe said the Sask. Party will table the Compassionate Care Act this fall.

“To ensure that those that unfortunately are living a life of addictions and maybe living in our streets and causing harm to themselves or others,” Moe said.

“We are going to provide them, at the direction of our enforcement officers and a panel, the opportunity to enter recovery.”

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When asked, Moe wouldn’t call the treatment involuntary or forced treatment. He previously outlined his desire for “compassionate care” in June after hearing concerns from local leadership in Battleford and North Battleford about mental health, addictions and safety concerns.

“We see people that are not in a space where they can even make the responsible decision to enter a life of recovery,” Moe said. “And that’s our goal is for everyone to have that opportunity to enter their journey of recovery.”

On Oct. 6, 2023, the province announced a two-year action plan for a new approach to homelessness, addictions and social services.

As part of the multifaceted plans, the province committed $49.4 million over five years to create 500 new addictions treatment spaces, which was expected to be more than double the number of spaces available at the time.

As part of the new approach, the province committed to move away from harm reduction and transition to a “recovery-oriented system of care.”

At the time, the province said its new approach would help patients who need more than the typical 28-day in-patient care offered under a traditional addiction treatment model.

Moe said his party is still committed to taking that treatment model further.

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

Saskatchewan NDP leader Carla Beck said the province’s plan needs more work and hasn’t consulted the advice of experts.

“I’ve watched these guys do this time and time again — throw an issue on the table trying to divide. Often the plans are not well thought out,” she said.

On Monday, the NDP unveiled its own five-point plan to combat addictions, which did include a component for involuntary treatment “as a last resort” for a small number of people who are a danger to themselves or others.

“People in Saskatchewan will have the opportunity to compare who has done their homework and who wants to wedge and put up some talking points,” Beck said.

“Which is what we see time and a time and again from this government.”

Moe highlighted healthcare, public safety and education as other priorities that will be outlined in his throne speech on Wednesday.

Moe also said recent economic uncertainty, tariffs and ongoing trade feuds with the United States and China will have an impact on upcoming budgets across the country over the next year.

“The short-term financial challenge that’s happening in this tariff-riddled, tariff-fueled discussion about environment and some of the byproduct effects of that, like our relationship with canola, with the country of China,” Moe said.

“Those are very real and are going to show up in the bottom lines of provincial and federal governments in the short-term.”