Ford to fine individuals $10,000 for drug use

THUNDER BAY — Anyone found using illicit drugs in public could be looking at a $10,000 or 6 months in prison if new legislation proposed Thursday by Premier Doug Ford is passed. The legislation is designed to provide municipalities and police with new resources and enforcement tools to address trespassers and illicit drug users, including those living in encampments. On the enforcement side of the legislation, the Conservatives plan to make amendments to the Trespass to Property Act, which will allow the courts to consider continuous trespassing and the likelihood of re-offending during sentencing for all members of the public who continuously break trespassing laws.

Moreover, the government will also introduce the Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act, 2024, which, if passed, will allow police officers to direct individuals to stop using illegal drugs or to leave public spaces. Police will be allowed to arrest a member of the public with sentences of up to six months in prison, or issue a ticket for $10,000. When asked if Ford’s legislation is enforceable and whether individuals would be able to pay such a fine, Mayor Ken Boshoff said he hadn’t had the chance to look at the fine print of the legislation, but said “in all justice systems, you have to have a fine commensurate with the ability to pay.



” “I think maybe it sends a message that the government is serious about supporting municipalities," said Boshcoff. As for trespass enforcement, Boshcoff said “I'm hoping that by designating some areas it'll actually make things safer for those people who are in encampments knowing that that's an area that has some measure of refuge and safeguarding.” The new resources for municipalities include a $5.

5 million top-up to the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB), $20 million to expand shelters and create temporary shelter villages, and $50 million for ready-to-build affordable housing projects. “The mayors have been asking for the additional funding for the homes so that is well received,” said Boshcoff. He stated that the $20 million for shelter expansion “comes at the right time.

” “And secondly, with the building homes faster and the fact that we have a task force already mobilized, which means I think that we could vault into this a little quicker than some other cities. So, we're ready to go,” said Boshcoff..