Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Social Affairs, Science and Technology

Issue No. 40 - Minutes of Proceedings - April 16, 2018

OTTAWA, Monday, April 16, 2018
(91)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 2 p.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Art Eggleton, P.C., presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bernard, Eggleton, P.C., McIntyre, Mégie, Munson, Omidvar, Petitclerc, Poirier, Pratte, Raine, Seidman and Unger (12).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Deacon (1).

In attendance: Shaila Anwar, Deputy Principal Clerk, Senate Committees Directorate; Sonya Norris and Marlisa Tiedemann, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, March 22, 2018, the committee continued its examination of Bill C-45, An Act respecting cannabis and to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and other Acts. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 39.)

WITNESSES:

Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction:

Amy Porath, Director of Research.

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health:

Dr. Bernard Le Foll, Medical Head.

Non-Smokers' Rights Association:

Melodie Tilson, Director of Policy;

Pippa Beck, Senior Policy Analyst.

As individuals:

Dr. Meldon Kahan, Medical Director, Substance Use Service, Women's College Hospital, Department of Family Medicine, University of Toronto (by video conference);

Dr. Sharon Levy, Medical Director, Adolescent Substance Abuse Program, Boston Children's Hospital; Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School;

Dr. Harold Kalant, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto (by video conference);

David Sweanor, Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa.

The chair made a statement.

Dr. Kalant, Ms. Porath and Dr. Le Foll each made a statement and answered questions.

At 3:32 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 4 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Sweanor, Ms. Beck and Ms. Tilson each made a statement and answered questions.

At 5 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:05 p.m., the committee resumed.

Dr. Levy and Dr. Kahan each made a statement and answered questions.

At 6 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Mireille Aubé
Acting Clerk of the Committee