Saskatchewan introduces compassionate intervention legislation for addictions treatment
December 8, 2025, 10:52 am
Nicole Taylor, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
On Friday, the Saskatchewan government introduced new legislation aimed at people with severe addictions who are unable to seek help despite significant risks to their health and safety. The Compassionate Intervention Act would allow for involuntary addictions treatment under specific circumstances.
Currently, addictions treatment for adults in Saskatchewan requires voluntary participation, and existing legislation does not support addiction intervention. The proposed model is grounded in the government’s commitment to a Recovery-Oriented System of Care, and it includes strict criteria for placing someone into involuntary treatment.
Under the proposal, family members would be able to request court-ordered treatment for a loved one. Law enforcement could also intervene if a person’s substance use presents a serious danger to themselves or others. Individuals may only be brought to a Compassionate Intervention Assessment Centre by police or a peace officer, referred by a medical professional, or through a judge’s warrant.
Moosomin–Montmartre MLA Kevin Weedmark said the legislation introduces what many families and community leaders have been asking for.
“Today the legislation was introduced to bring Compassionate Care to Saskatchewan,” Weedmark said on Friday. “The whole idea is that if people are not in a position to make decisions for themselves, and if they are a danger to themselves, or to others in those very rare cases, they can be required to get treatment.
“This is something that is going to protect those people, it is going to protect the community, and this is something that people have been asking for. We have had mothers ask for this, we have had community leaders ask for this,
First Nations chiefs ask for this, so that in those cases, when people are a danger to themselves or others and cannot make that decision on their own, that they can be required to have treatment.”
Weedmark said that the legislation received first reading on Friday, with a second reading and committee review expected in the spring. “It will be passed in the spring sitting,” he said.
He added that several advocates for addictions treatment attended the Legislature for the introduction, including 14 people from Moosomin-Montmartre. Some were members of the Southeast Recovery Centre Board in Moosomin, while others had lived experience with addictions treatment.
A local person who recently completed addictions treatment also attended to witness the introduction of the Compassionate Intervention Act.
“I think it is really good, treatment has helped me a lot,” the resident said. “I think it is a really good idea and if I had that option I would have taken it and it would have helped me a lot sooner than later.
“I had to go the hard way over and over and over, and I wish I would have had that available. It’s (treatment has) been a 360 in my life and in bringing me back to clarity and back to the person I used to be. I went through lot of trouble and took a long time to get into a place like that and it’s been a major help in my life. That is what I needed.”
The resident added that many people facing addiction want help but struggle to reach that point on their own. “A lot of addicts want their lives to get better and some of them are maybe not at that point yet but, I know that I wanted that choice and it was a battle to get to it. It’s tough getting there, having the support and people that will help when you get to that point in your life, and having somebody to open the doors and say ‘you need to go’ and that something I would have done.”
He said it felt good to see the legislation introduced.
“It’s heart warming. I have lost a lot of people to addiction and it’s nice to hear that people will be getting help for their addictions,” he said.
He said that if the legislation had existed earlier, some people he knew would still be alive.
“Individuals struggling with addiction need our support on their path to recovery,” Mental Health and Addictions Minister Lori Carr said. “They need a safe space, support and compassionate intervention. We are focused on meaningful long-term recovery for Saskatchewan residents.”
Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod, K.C. said the initiative is intended to strengthen both families and communities. “By investing in compassionate care for those struggling with severe addiction, we are not only saving lives, but we are strengthening families, communities, and the future of our province,” he said. “Every person deserves the chance to heal, rebuild and thrive.”
Saskatoon Tribal Chief Mark Arcand welcomed the announcement. “I am hopeful that the new legislation will change lives and get people on the road to recovery,” he said. “This is about treating the addiction, the illness, for those who are struggling and can’t ask for help. I appreciate that involuntary treatment will be done in a culturally responsive way to support individuals on their health journey.”
The province will seek feedback from stakeholders, partners, and the public on how the legislation should be implemented. Information will be posted at saskatchewan.ca/compassionate-intervention.
