FederalBill C-289First Reading
Bill C-289: Stopping Supply to Save Lives Act
Sponsor: Chak AuIntroduced June 17, 2026Last checked August 28, 2026
Read the official text on parl.caOfficial version — LEGISinfo, Parliament of Canada
What this bill does
This bill increases criminal penalties for trafficking, importing, exporting, or producing synthetic opioids (such as fentanyl) above specified amounts, including mandatory life sentences and parole ineligibility for 25 years for the most serious quantities. It also adds aggravating sentencing factors when offences occur near schools, treatment centres, or child care facilities, or involve lethal amounts of the substance.
Plain-language summary by Legisail.
Business impact
Compliance
This bill primarily targets individuals and criminal networks involved in the illicit drug trade rather than legitimate businesses. However, businesses in industries where synthetic opioids may be legally handled — such as licensed pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesale drug distributors, compounding pharmacies, or research laboratories across Canada — face heightened legal exposure if quantities of synthetic opioids exceed the thresholds set out in the bill (e.g., 20 mg or 40 mg of a Schedule I synthetic opioid). Even a small team operating a licensed facility would need to ensure rigorous inventory controls, secure storage, and strict compliance documentation to avoid triggering criminal liability. Businesses operating near schools or addiction treatment centres face additional scrutiny as proximity becomes an aggravating sentencing factor.
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Where this bill is
First ReadingJune 17, 2026
Next: Second Reading debate
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