Threat of three new substances sparks crackdown, warning about illegal drug supply

A spike in fatal overdoses in Winnipeg is linked to a toxic drug supply, with advocates urging action as similar trends appear across Canada.

Health Canada has announced temporary measures to prevent the trafficking of three new substances. The federal department warned that a “dangerous and unpredictable” illegal drug supply of potent synthetic opioids is fuelling drug-related deaths across the country.

In a statement about a ministerial order released Wednesday, Health Canada said it is giving border and law enforcement officials more powers to target two potent synthetic opioids, spirobrorphine and spirochlorphine, and a chemical, R 29676, that could be used illegally to produce the addictive drugs.

The Canadian government has described spirobrorphine, spirochlorphine and R 29676 as “new emerging substances of concern.”

“We are using every tool at our disposal to prevent these substances from entering our borders, our country, and our communities,” Health Minister Marjorie Michel said in a statement Wednesday.

“Quick action is essential to keep our communities safe as we address the devastating drug crisis that impacts people and families across the country.”

Federal health officials said there is evidence that criminal organizations are importing the three substances into Canada and other countries. So far, they said the Canada Border Services Agency has intercepted quantities of R 29676 that could be used to create “large amounts” of synthetic opioids.

Officials have detected spirochlorphine at the Canadian border, according to the press release, while spirobrorphine has been found in other countries.

“We are taking this action proactively to send a strong signal that … we are committed to detecting and disrupting the illegal drug trade in Canada,” Jennifer Pelley said in a Zoom interview with CTVNews.ca on Wednesday. Pelley is director of the Office of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs in Health Canada’s Controlled Substances and Overdose Response Directorate.

The federal government said legitimate businesses and researchers can still apply for a licence or import permit for these substances.

What will these ‘temporary controls’ do?

The new “temporary controls” will make it illegal to import, export, produce and distribute the three substances for one year. They will provide more powers to border officials and law enforcement to seize and stop the substances from entering the country, according to Pelley.

The controls will also allow law enforcement to lay criminal charges, she added.

The federal government’s new “temporary controls” will be in place for a year, starting June 5, under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, according to the press release.

Although the three substances are currently “not a big problem” in Canada, Pelley said, the temporary controls will allow officials more time to gather evidence in support of “longer term controls.”

What are spirobrorphine and spirochlorphine?

Spirobrorphine and spirochlorphine are synthetic opioids, a class of drugs with pain-relieving effects.

Pelley said evidence suggests that these two synthetic opioids may be in European markets.

Fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, also known as fentanyl-related substances, are the driving force behind opioid overdose deaths in Canada and are already subject to regulatory oversight, Pelley said.

However, officials are “equally concerned” about other groups of synthetic opioids that could be used illegally, she added.

What is R 29676?

R 29676 is a chemical that could be used to produce synthetic opioids, according to the federal government.

Canadian border officials have intercepted a “minimal number of shipments” of the substance, according to Pelley and federal officials.

What is the federal government’s ‘Border Plan’?

The new “temporary controls” are part of Canada’s Border Plan aimed at strengthening the country’s border security and immigration system. The Canadian government in December 2024 announced $1.3 billion for measures including increased staff, as well as new technology and equipment.

How many opioid-related deaths have there been in Canada in recent years?

The ministerial order was announced as the country grapples with what the federal government called a “substantial increase” in toxic drug-related deaths since national surveillance began in 2016, though the numbers have recently begun to fall near pre-pandemic levels.

More than 55,000 individuals in Canada died from apparent opioid-related causes that were reported between January 2016 and September 2025, according to the federal government’s website.

Between January and September 2025, 4,162 apparent opioid toxicity deaths were reported, of which 96 per cent were accidental, according to the data. During that period, 58 per cent of opioid-related deaths involved fentanyl and 57 per cent involved fentanyl analogs.

In Manitoba, advocates have called for provincial officials to declare a public health emergency following a recent increase in drug-related deaths, CTV National News journalist Alex Karpa reported on May 1.

“Illegal drugs on the market are highly potent, unpredictable and so, as a general rule, I caution against anyone consuming illegal drugs, period,” Pelley said.