Opioid Settlements in Canada: Avoiding U.S. Pitfalls, Embracing Best Practices

Drawing on the early US opioid settlement experience, the authors argue that Canada’s opioid settlement funds risk dilution without binding safeguards. They recommend mandating dedicated remediation spending, public reporting with outcome metrics, investment in a broad range of harm‑reduction services, and community‑led allocation to ensure settlements meaningfully reduce overdose harms rather than replicate US missteps.