Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue 50 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 19, 1997
(68)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, met this day, in Room 505, Victoria Building at 3:15 p.m., the Chair, the Honourable Senator Sharon Carstairs, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Beaudoin, Carstairs, Doyle, Gigantès, Lewis, Lynch-Staunton, Milne, Nolin, Pearson and Stanbury (10).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Keon and Losier-Cool (2).

In attendance: Laura Snowball, Research Officer, Research Branch of the Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

APPEARING:

The Hon. David Dingwall, M.P., P.C., Minister of Health.

WITNESSES:

From Health Canada:

Mr. Chris McNaught, Counsel, Legal Services;

Mr. André Juneau, Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy and Consultation Branch;

Ms Judy Ferguson, Director General, Health Policy and Information Directorate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, March 13, 1997, the committee commenced its consideration Bill C-71, An Act to regulate the manufacture, sale, labelling and promotion of tobacco products, to make consequential amendments to another Act and to repeal certain Acts.

The Chair made an opening statement.

It was moved by the Honourable Senator Beaudoin -- THAT any consideration or votes on any motions dealing with the disposition in committee of Bill C-71, An Act to regulate the manufacture, sale, labelling and promotion of tobacco products, to make consequential amendments to another Act and to repeal certain Acts, be held no earlier than at the completion of hearing of all witnesses.

The question being put on the motion, -- it was agreed.

The Hon. David Dingwall made an opening statement and answered questions.

The minister agreed to provide to the members of the committee a draft of the regulations (under sections 7, 14, 17, 23 and 42) of Bill C-71.

Senator Nolin tabled with the committee a letter from Health Canada regarding the modification of cigarette vending machines to require employee intervention. (Exhibit No. 5900 L1-C-71 50 "1")

Mr. Juneau and Mr. McNaught answered questions.

At 5:04 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Heather Lank

Clerk of the Committee