New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs is not ruling out the use of the notwithstanding clause to pass a law that would enable authorities to compel specific individuals into drug treatment.
Higgs informed reporters on Tuesday that the Compassionate Intervention Act is not prepared for presentation, but he is open to utilizing a provision in the Constitution that safeguards bills from legal challenges regarding Charter rights breaches.
Last week, Public Safety Minister Kris Austin explained that the purpose of the bill is to compel individuals with severe drug addiction into treatment if they are unable to make that decision voluntarily due to their mental state.
Austin avoided answering whether such compulsory treatment would violate Charter rights, deferring to the justice minister for a more suitable response.
The current budget includes initial expenses for a 50-bed drug rehabilitation facility, and Higgs previously announced in January that the new facility could accommodate up to 140 individuals at a time, depending on the duration of their stay.
The Compassionate Intervention Act is planned to be introduced in May.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 3, 2024.
