In an effort to reduce infectious diseases among inmates, the federal prison service plans to introduce a needle-exchange program.
Union officials are outraged at the move by the Correctional Service of Canada.
The Union of Canadian Correctional Officers, which represents prison guards, is concerned about syringe needles being used as weapons and accuses the prison service of closing its eyes to drug trafficking in prisons.
Corrections officials say the program will be rolled out initially at one men's and one women's institution, and the lessons learned will inform a full national roll-out.