Saskatchewan is moving to crack down on drug traffickers and strengthen community safety with a new law designed to hold offenders financially accountable for the harm caused by illicit drug activity.
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Introduced this week, The Response to Illicit Drugs Act creates new provincial tools that complement federal drug laws, giving both government and individuals the ability to pursue civil action against those involved in producing, trafficking, importing or exporting dangerous Schedule I substances. Simple possession is not included in the scope of the legislation.
“We want to ensure that those who profit from the production and trafficking of deadly substances face meaningful consequences here in Saskatchewan,” said justice minister and attorney general Tim McLeod, K.C. “This legislation gives government and individuals clear pathways to recover costs and seek damages for harms caused by drug offenders, while ensuring we continue supporting people living with addictions through record investments in treatment and recovery.”
The Act introduces two major measures:
- A statutory right for the province and affected individuals to sue drug offenders and recover costs tied to the harms of illicit drug production and trafficking; and
- The ability for the province to void certain government appointments, grants or agreements if the recipient is convicted of specified Schedule I drug offences.
The move is part of Saskatchewan’s broader effort to strengthen public safety while expanding addiction treatment across the province. The 2025-26 budget includes a record $624 million for mental health and addictions — about 7.7 per cent of the province’s total health spending. Saskatchewan is also progressing toward its goal of 500 new treatment spaces, with nearly 300 already in place.
In addition, the province has committed $11.9 million for about 100 new municipal police officers and $2.5 million over three years to support training through the Saskatchewan Police College.
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