Regina / 980 CJME
Feb 20, 2021 4:27 PM
Premier Scott Moe and Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand sign a trio of agreements on child welfare at a Saskatoon event on March 15, 2019. (Chris Vandenbreekel/650 CKOM)
Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand is hoping newly tabled legislation aimed at easing penalties for drug offences can have the impact he dreams of.
“It’s going to make change in First Nations peoples lives,” Arcand said. “It’s all about rehabilitation.”
Attorney General David Lametti introduced Bill C-22 in the House of Commons Thursday. The bill would repeal mandatory minimum penalties for certain drug offences which the Liberals say have disproportionately harmed Indigenous, Black and other offenders struggling with addictions.
Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand says he was “overjoyed” to hear the federal government announce a new bill to relax penalties for drug offences.