Manitoba passes bill that will allow highly intoxicated people to be detained 72 hours

Manitoba politicians have voted through a bill that extends how long someone who is highly intoxicated by methamphetamines or other long-lasting substances can be detained, raising the limit from 24 hours to up to 72 hours.

Bill 48, the Protective Detention and Care of Intoxicated Persons Act, passed early Wednesday evening with near-unanimous support. Only one member of the legislative assembly — former NDPer-turned-Independent Mark Wasyliw (Fort Garry) — opposed the bill.

"We are going to make our streets safer through this new, updated legislation that reflects the reality of our streets," Addictions Minister Bernadatte Smith said in a statement after the vote.

Smith introduced the legislation on Oct. 2. She and Premier Wab Kinew had urged the Progressive Conservatives to support it in recent days, accusing the Opposition of trying to delay its passage after supporting the NDP government's bill at earlier stages.

Bill 48 has been framed by proponents as a way to boost public safety and help people in the grips of meth-induced psychosis, or under the influence of other long-lasting drugs, who may pose a risk to themselves or others.

The new 72-hour detention law replaces the previous Intoxicated Persons Detention Act, adopted in 1987, which set a 24-hour limit on how long a person can be held at a detox facility, like the one operated by Main Street Project.

That group will operate the three-day protective care centre the NDP plans to open at 190 Disraeli Fwy.

The NDP rejected amendments to the new legislation introduced by the Progressive Conservatives last week, which would have included a prohibition on detox sites within 500 metres of a school or daycare, and would have required public consultations and an annual report on who was detained.

Premier Wab Kinew threatened to extend the legislative session if the Tories got in the way of a final vote on the bill.

Ahead of Wednesday's vote, PC Leader Obby Khan stressed that his party wasn't delaying a vote on the bill, despite accusations from the NDP.

The PCs support the intent behind the bill, but had reservations about the proposed Disraeli location for the facility, which falls within 500 metres of a school, he said.

"If you believe that having a detention unit within 500 metres of school, a daycare is the right thing to do, then that's your opinion. We heard from Manitobans. They did not think that was right," said Khan.

Some members of the public did voice concerns about the location at a committee meeting last month.

Members of Sunshine House, the West Central Women's Resource Centre and Resource Assistance for Youth raised fears the bill further stigmatizes drug use and criminalizes people who need help with addictions or mental health issues.