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DEPUTATION BY MP, ALEX NUTTALL CONCERNING MOTION 19-G-049, ONGOING OPIOID OVERDOSE CRISIS IN CANADA
Mr. Alex Nuttall, Member of Parliament for Barrie, Springwater and Oro-Medonte provided a deputation in opposition to motion 19-G-049 concerning the Ongoing Opioid Overdose Crisis in Canada.
MP Nuttall advised that he was not against the intent of the motion, as he believed there should be a strong and consistent response to the public health emergency concerning the opioid overdose crisis. He advised that he believes that the first step should be the development of a plan and indicated his support for a public health emergency being called so there could be a coordinated effort to deal with the emergency. MP Nuttall discussed a legal opinion that indicated that the Mayor could declare a local emergency and the Provincial government is not required to endorse it. He also noted that the Legal opinion provided that the opioid crisis could be classified as an emergency, this matter could be within the jurisdiction of all three levels of government and that the onus is on the lower tier government to initiate an emergency with the other levels playing a supportive role.
He reiterated his comments that the City of Barrie is the most appropriate entity to declare the emergency as well as that he would not be opposed to the Provincial and Federal governments also declaring an emergency if City does. He advised that he had made a similar request in to the Federal Government in December, 2018.
MP Nuttall questioned what research has been completed concerning any existing funding streams that are available to assist with the opioid crisis and whether or not the City or the service delivery partners have made any applications to the programs.
MP Nuttall noted that he believes that a plan needs to be established to deal with the opioid crisis, that funding through existing programs should be applied for, that funding gaps be identified that would prevent any plan from being initiated and that a plan be implemented to address this epidemic.
MP Nuttall advised that he believes that if funding is requested without identifying specific parameters for use of the funding, it may result in funding not being received. He requested that the following amendments be made to the proposed motion:
• That staff be directed to look into all existing funding sources, to apply for all applicable funding opportunities and identify any funding gaps that affect the City of Barrie in combatting the opioid emergency and this be completed before making general requests for funding from the Provincial or Federal Governments without specificity; and
• That the requests for specific funding be directed to the appropriate Ministers.
In closing, MP Nuttall offered assistance and resources from his office to support the ongoing response to the opioid emergency.
Members of Council asked several questions of MP Nuttall and received responses.