Proceedings of the Special Committee on
Illegal Drugs

Issue 10 - Minutes of Proceedings

[English]

The Special Committee on Illegal Drugs met this day at 9 a.m., in the Harbourside Ballroom III, Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside, Vancouver, the Chair, the Honourable Pierre Claude Nolin Senator, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Carney, Kenny, Nolin (3).

Other senators present: The Honourables Senators Jaffer and Lawson (2).

In attendance: From the Library of Parliament, Gérald Lafrenière; from Committees Directorate and Private Legislation, Lise Bouchard and from the office of the Honourable Senator Rossiter, Barbara Wheelock.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

WITNESSES:

From the City of Vancouver:

Mr. Philip Owen, Mayor;

Mr. Donald MacPherson, Drug Policy Coordinator.

From B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS:

Dr. Mark Tyndall.

From B.C. Compassion Club Society:

Ms Hilary Black, Founder and Director.

From Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU):

Mr. Dean Wilson, Executive Director.

From the Community Legal Assistance Society:

Mr. David Mossop.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, March 15, 2001, the committee proceeded to study Canada's anti-drug legislation and policies. (For complete text of Order of Reference see Issue no.1 of the Proceedings of the committee.)

Mr. Owen and Mr. MacPherson, made opening statements and, together, answered questions.

At 10:02 a.m., the committee recessed.

At 10:10 a.m., the committee resumed.

Dr. Tyndall made an opening statement and answered questions.

At 10:52 a.m., the committee recessed.

At 11:05 a.m., the committee resumed.

Ms Black made an opening statement and answered questions.

Mr. Wilson made an opening statement and answered questions.

Mr. Mossop made an opening statement and answered questions.

At 12:20 p.m., the Chair made a closing statement, the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

VANCOUVER, Wednesday, November 7, 2001
(19)

[English]

The Special Committee on Illegal Drugs met this day at 1:30 p.m., in the Harbourside Ballroom III, Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside, Vancouver, the Chair, the Honour able Pierre Claude Nolin Senator, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Carney, Kenny, Nolin (3).

Other senators present: The Honourables Senators Jaffer, Lawson and St. Germain (3).

In attendance: From the Library of Parliament, Gérald Lafrenière; from Committees Directorate and Private Legislation, Lise Bouchard and from the office of the Honourable Senator Rossiter, Barbara Wheelock.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

WITNESSES:

From the Vancouver Police Service:

Mr. Kash Heed, Vice Drugs Section.

From Grief to Action:

Ms Nichola Hall, Chairperson; and

Mr. Ross Hall.

From Alcohol - Drug Education Service:

Mr. Art Steinmann, Executive Director.

Walk-ons:

Mr. Mason Loh;

Ms Lilian To;

Mr. David Malmo-Levine;

Mr. James Leslie;

Mr. Rick Tipple;

Mr. Ted Smith;

Ms Cynthia Low;

Mr. Perry Bulwer;

Mr. Dana Larsen;

Ms Thia Walter;

Mr. David MacFarnam;

Mr. John P. Gordon;

Mr. Chris Bennett; and

Mr. Richard Cowan.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, March 15, 2001, the committee proceeded to study Canada's anti-drug legislation and policies. (For complete text of Order of Reference see Issue no.1 of the Proceedings of the Committee.)

Mr. Heed, made an opening statement and answered questions.

Ms Hall and Mr. Hall made an opening statement and, together, answered questions.

Mr. Steinmann made an opening statement and answered questions.

Mr. Loh, Ms To, Messrs. Levine, Leslie, Tipple, Smith, Ms Cynthia Low, Messrs. Bulwer, Larsen, Ms Thia Walter, Messrs. MacFarnam, Gordon, Bennett and Cowan, in turn, made a presentation.

Mr. Art Steinmann, from Alcohol-Drug Education Service, tabled reference materials on alcohol and drug programs with the Acting Clerk of the committee and filed as (Exhibit No. 5700-1.37/I1, 10 "1").

Mr. Chris Bennett tabled a book entitled Sex, Drugs, Violence and the Bible with the Acting Clerk of the Committee and filed as (Exhibit No. 5700-1.37/Il, 10 "2").

Mr. Dana Larsen tabled a periodical entitled Cannabis Culture - Marijuana and Hemp Around the World with the Acting Clerk of the Committee and filed as (Exhibit No. 5700-1.37/Il, 10 "3").

At 5:05 p.m., the Chair made a closing statement, the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Adam Thompson

 Acting Clerk of the committee