A three-year drug decriminalization experiment begins in British Columbia today—something that is likely to influence drug policy across Canada. Vassy Kapelos checks in with that province. 

On today’s show: 

• A conversation with Jennifer Whiteside, British Columbia’s Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.
• New national standards have just been released for long-term care homes devastated by the pandemic. Vassy speaks with Dr. Samir Sinha, chair of the Health Standards Organization technical committee that drafted the standards.
• We play snippets of Vassy’s conversation with Mark Holland, Government House Leader, and Andrew Scheer, Conservative House Leader, about government spending and the economy.
• The Daily Debrief panel with Shachi Kurl, Sharan Kaur and Amanda Galbraith.
• John Manley, Canada’s former finance minister and deputy prime minister, on Canada’s economic outlook and how the government can navigate it.