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Health Canada plans to restrict six chemicals used to make fentanyl as part of Ottawa's attempt to address what it calls the national opioid crisis.

Health Minister Jane Philpott says a bill brought in by Sen. Vern White means the federal government can act quickly to make the unauthorized importation and exportation of the chemicals illegal.

In a news release, Health Canada says its regulatory proposal expeditiously achieves the intent of White's bill.

Philpott says she is also planning a summit to take place this fall to address the opioid crisis.

In British Columbia, a joint task force examining the drug overdose crisis used International Overdose Awareness Day to highlight steps the province is taking on opioid overdoses.