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

Issue 5 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 25, 1998

(8)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day, in Room 705, Victoria Building, at 3:30 p.m., the Chairman, Honourable Lowell Murray, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators: Forest, Jessiman, LeBreton, Maheu and Murray (5).

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Mollie Dunsmuir, Research Officer.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on November 5, 1997, the committee began its consideration of Bill S-8, An Act to amend the Tobacco Act (content regulation).

WITNESSES:

The Honourable Senator Stanley Haidasz, P.C., sponsor of the bill.

From the Department of Health Canada:

Dr. Murray Kaiserman, Director, Office of Tobacco Control.

The Chairman welcomed the Honourable Senator Haidasz to the committee and congratulated him on the awards he recently received from the Polish Government. The Chairman invited the Honourable Senator Haidasz to present his Bill S-8 and indicated that if the Senator was interested, he would be invited back once all other witnesses were heard to make final comments. The Honourable Senator Haidasz was agreeable to appearing as the final witness on Bill S-8.

The Honourable Senator Haidasz, assisted by his researcher Gary Knight, made a statement and answered questions.

Gary Knight raised the issue of the need to make an amendment to the bill so that it would include a prohibition on selling the high nicotine tobacco product as well. The Chairman suggested that Gary Knight work on a draft amendment for consideration by the committee.

The Chairman invited Dr. Murray Kaiserman, Director of the Office of Tobacco Control from the Department of Health, to make a statement to the committee.

Dr. Kaiserman made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:05 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Nadine S. Huggins

Acting Clerk of the Committee