Mayor Scott Gillingham is warning a recent B.C. Supreme Court decision striking down the federal offence of possession for the purpose of trafficking could undercut efforts to combat the illegal drug trade in Winnipeg and across Canada.
The case, R. v. Kalicum, centred on a Vancouver group that bought heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine from the dark web, tested the drugs and sold them at cost to members of what it called a "compassion club." The group did not hold a federal exemption allowing it to operate.
Its two founders were found guilty of possession for the purpose of trafficking in 2025. On September 29, 2026, the B.C. Supreme Court stayed those convictions and declared the offence unconstitutional. The declaration is suspended for six months to give Parliament time to respond.
Gillingham made the following statement:
"This may be a B.C. court decision, but the issues it raises are national. It matters in Winnipeg because a ruling like this could be cited in similar court challenges here, and that could undermine our efforts to combat the illegal drug trade.
“Here in Winnipeg, both provincial and City officials support a compassionate approach to people living with addiction. However, we also agree on the need to fight the criminal distribution of drugs and the spread of addiction.
“Winnipeggers are telling me they want to see people struggling with addiction get off the streets and into treatment. We should be working to reduce the number of dangerous drugs on our streets, not creating new pathways for their distribution.
“Drugs like heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine are controlled for a reason: they carry serious risks of addiction, overdose and other harms. I am concerned that making dangerous drugs easier to access outside established medical and regulatory oversight will make the addictions crisis on our streets worse. We should be focused on treatment, recovery and reducing the supply of dangerous drugs — not making their distribution easier.”
“I have reached out to federal Justice Minister Sean Fraser to express my concerns about the decision and the need for a strong federal response. I have also contacted Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, who has raised serious concerns about the implications of the ruling for his city.
“The people of Winnipeg should not have to accept a misguided court decision in another province that could weaken controls on the distribution of dangerous drugs here. Compassion for people struggling with addiction must not mean abandoning public oversight, accountability or public safety.”