The provincial government intends to hold drug companies accountable for the opioid addiction striking communities across the province.
Attorney General Caroline Mulroney says legislation introduced will make it easier to do that.
“The legislation would support Ontario’s ability to sue opioid manufacturers and wholesalers for their alleged wrongdoing in order to recover past and future health care cost paid by Ontario taxpayers due to opioid related disease, injury or illness,” says Mulroney.
The province is also joining in a class action suit filed by British Columbia last year.
To assist those currently with addictions or mental health issues, the province is also establishing a Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence.
Robin Martin, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, says it will provide both accountability and oversight to existing programs and services.
“With the support of the center of excellence Ontario will finally be able to standardize the quality and delivery of mental health and addictions services across the province,” says Martin.
