The federal health department has confirmed to MPs of the health committee that taxpayer dollars fund crack pipes and other drug paraphernalia under Health Canada’s “harm reduction” programs, after saying this wasn’t the case in October.
Assistant Deputy Health Minister Kendal Weber initially told the House of Commons health committee that funding provided by Health Canada or the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) was not being used to purchase crack pipes, when questioned by Conservative MP and health critic Dan Mazier on Oct. 2.
Weber clarified to MPs while testifying before the committee on Dec. 9 that Health Canada doesn’t purchase harm reduction supplies directly, but does provide funding to community organizations that purchase “harm reduction tools,” including pipes, as first reported by Blacklock’s Reporter….