Declaring opioid crisis a public emergency legally questionable under current law, experts say

The Emergencies Act isn't intended for a crisis such as the opioids epidemic, experts say, but a new piece of legislation could categorize responses to better reflect its nature and address jurisdictional concerns.

Conservative Sen. Vern White, pictured in March, supports declaring a public health emergency as a symbolic action, but said Ottawa must follow with new funding. The Hill Times file photograph

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BY JOLSON LIM

November 15, 2017

If the federal government declares the opioid crisis a public health emergency through the Emergencies Act, it would be on shaky legal footing and outside the scope of what the law is intended for, legal and public health experts say.

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