VICTORIA — Premier David Eby says B.C.’s director of police services acts independently and government can’t interfere with the request for an investigation into a leaked document that alleged some pharmacies were diverting prescription opioids to the illegal market.
B.C. Conservative legislature member Elenore Sturko revealed the document in February that said police and the College of Pharmacists were investigating allegations that “safe supply” opioids were being diverted by more than 60 pharmacies.
Conservative Leader John Rustad said in the legislature that the government began an investigation into the leak “instead of thanking the whistleblower.”
Eby says Sturko’s release of the leaked documents was her “just doing her job,” and he wouldn’t have hesitated to do the same thing if he was on the opposition benches.
Rustad says the investigation into the leak is an attempt for the government to “put a chill” on those who speak out against them, and questioned Eby about whether it was launched at the behest of the government.
The B.C. government overhauled its safe supply program shortly after the leak to ensure that the medications were going to those who had prescriptions.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2025.
The Canadian Press
