TORONTO – Shakir Rahim, Director of the Criminal Justice Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association made the following statement:
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association will appear before the Supreme Court of Canada today as an intervenor in R. v. Wilson. This case is about whether the police can arrest a person who is immune from prosecution for a substance or drug offence because they sought emergency medical care for themselves or others.
Parliament introduced this law to ensure people would not be punished if they need to obtain emergency medical care because of a drug overdose.
This is important context for how the law should be interpreted, and allowing the police to arrest people in these situations would undermine the law’s purpose.
The CCLA is grateful for the excellent pro bono representation of Sarah Rankin and Heather Ferg of McKay Ferg LLP in this case.
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About the Canadian Civil Liberties Association
The CCLA is an independent, non-profit organization with supporters from across the country. Founded in 1964, the CCLA is a national human rights organization committed to defending the rights, dignity, safety, and freedoms of all people in Canada.
Media Contact:
media@ccla.org
About the Canadian Civil Liberties Association
The CCLA is an independent, non-profit organization with supporters from across the country. Founded in 1964, the CCLA is a national human rights organization committed to defending the rights, dignity, safety, and freedoms of all people in Canada.
For the Media
For further comments, please contact us at media@ccla.org.
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