Prosecute Oshawa drug offences
Petitioners ask the federal government to prosecute s.4(1) CDSA offences in or near Oshawa parks, sidewalks and private property. The government responds that PPSC prosecutes s.4(1) offences nationwide except Quebec and New Brunswick.
Why we would sign this petition
- Directs federal prosecutors to pursue s.4(1) possession cases in or near Oshawa public and private spaces, aligning prosecutions with local safety concerns.
- May reduce visible open‑air drug use in parks and on sidewalks, improving residents’ sense of safety and access to public spaces.
- Signals that local concerns are being acted on and may deter street‑level drug activity through enforcement.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- The Public Prosecution Service already prosecutes s.4(1) offences nationwide (except Quebec and New Brunswick), so the petition may duplicate existing practice without changing outcomes.
- An enforcement‑only approach can displace drug use into hidden locations, increasing health risks for people who use drugs and communities.
- Focusing on prosecutions diverts resources from alternatives like harm reduction or treatment that may better reduce harm.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the Government of Canada We, the undersigned citizens, and residents of Canada, draw the attention of the Government of Canada to the following: Whereas Illegal drugs have made Canadian cities less safe, reducing the quality of life for law-abiding citizens; Whereas Canadians deserve to enjoy public spaces without worrying about crime; Whereas It's time for the Government of Canada to enforce the law and prosecute open-air drug use; Therefore, We, the undersigned, Citizens, and the Residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Act on the City of Oshawa's motion and prosecute offences committed contrary to s4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act when offences are committed in or near Oshawa's parks, sidewalks, or on private properties.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Signed by Patricia Lattanzio The Public Prosecution Service of Canada has always and continues to prosecute drug possession offences under s4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The decision to prosecute any charge under s4(1) Controlled Drugs and Substances Act offence across the country – except in Quebec and New Brunswick where most drug offences are prosecuted by provincial prosecutors – is made by Public Prosecution Service of Canada’s prosecutors in accordance with the relevant sections of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada’s Deskbook.