Proceedings of the Special Committee on
Illegal Drugs
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 14, 2000
(1)
[English]
The Special Committee on Illegal Drugs met this day in room 356-S, Centre Block, at 3:30 p.m., for the purpose of Organization.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Kenny, Nolin, Pépin and Rossiter (4).
Pursuant to Rule 88, the Clerk presided over the election of the Chair.
The Honourable Senator Kenny moved, -- That the Honourable Senator Nolin be Chair of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Nolin assumed the Chair and made opening remarks.
The Honourable Senator Rossiter moved, -- That the Honourable Senator Carstairs be Deputy Chair of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Nolin moved, -- That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the Deputy Chair and the Honourable Senator Pépin -- That the subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the committee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses and schedule hearings; and -- That the subcommittee report its decisions to the committee.
The question being put on the motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Nolin moved, -- That the committee print 250 copies of its proceedings and -- That the Chair be authorized to adjust this number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Rossiter moved, -- That, pursuant to rule 89, the Chair be authorized to hold meetings, to receive and authorize the printing of the evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that a representative of the government and a representative from the opposition are present.
The question being put on the motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Pépin moved, -- That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research officers to the committee -- That the Chair be authorized to seek authority from the Senate to engage the services of such counsel and technical, clerical and other personnel as may be necessary; -- That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to retain the services of such experts as may be required by the work of the committee; and -- That the Chair, on behalf of the committee, direct the research staff in the preparation of studies, analyses, summaries and draft reports.
The question being put on the motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Rossiter moved, -- That, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, authority to commit funds be conferred on the Chair or in the Chair's absence, the Deputy Chair; and -- That, pursuant to section 34 of the Financial Administration Act, and Guideline 3:05 of Appendix II of the Rules of the Senate, authority for certifying accounts payable by the committee be conferred individually on the Chair, the Deputy Chair, and the Clerk of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Pépin moved, -- That the committee empower the Steering Committee to designate, as required, one or more members of the committee and/or such staff as may be necessary to travel on assignment on behalf of the committee; and -- That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to:
1) determine whether any member of the committee is on "official business" for the purposes of paragraph 8(3)(a) of the Senators Attendance Policy, published in the Journals of the Senate on Wednesday, June 3, 1998; and
2) consider any member of the committee to be on "official business" if that member is: (a) attending a function, event or meeting related to the work of the Committee; or (b) making a presentation related to the work of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Kenny moved -- That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witnesses expenses, the committee may reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses for one witness from any one organization and payment will take place upon application, but that the Chair be authorized to approve expenses for a second witness should there be exceptional circumstances.
The question being put on the motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Rossiter moved -- That, the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to allow television coverage at its discretion.
The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
At 3:48 p.m., the committee proceeded in camera.
The Honourable Senator Kenny moved -- That, the draft budget be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
| Professional and Other Services
|
$178,962.00
|
| Transportation and Communica tions
|
17,400.00
|
| Other Expenditures
|
5,000.00
|
| Total
|
$201,362.00
|
The question being put on the motion, -- it was agreed.
At 3:59 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, June 29, 2000
(2)
[English]
The Special Committee on Illegal Drugs met in camera this day in room 356-S, Centre Block, at 9:06 a.m., the Chair, the Honourable Senator Pierre Claude Nolin, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Carstairs, Kenny, Nolin, Pépin and Rossiter (5).
Also in attendance: Jean-Guy Desgagné, Daniel Sansfaçon, Michèle MacDonald, Manon Tremblay et François Dubois.
Pursuant to its order of reference to reassess Canada's anti-drug legislation and policies, the committee considered a draft workplan.
At 10:23 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, September 18, 2000
(3)
[English]
The Special Committee on Illegal Drugs met in camera this day in room 160-S, Centre Block, at 3:26 p.m., the Chair, the Honourable Senator Pierre Claude Nolin, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Carstairs, Kenny, Nolin, Pépin and Rossiter (5).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator DeWare (1).
Also in attendance: Jean-Guy Desgagné, Daniel Sansfaçon, Manon Tremblay, Michelle MacDonald and Adam Thompson.
Pursuant to its order of reference to reassess Canada's anti-drug legislation and policies,the committee considered a draft workplan.
A draft workplan and future business of the committee were discussed.
At 5:38 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, October 16, 2000
(4)
[English]
The Special Committee on Illegal Drugs met this day in room 257, East Block, at 9:39 a.m., the Chair, the Honourable Senator Pierre Claude Nolin, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Carstairs, Kenny, Nolin, Pépin and Rossiter (5).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Kennedy (1).
In attendance: From the Committees and Private Legislation Directorate: Adam Thompson, Martin Boyer, Jean-Guy Desgagné and Daniel Sansfaçon.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
WITNESSES:
From the Canadian Foundation for Drug Policy:
Mr. Eugene Oscapella, Executive Director.
From the University of Ottawa:
Mrs. Line Beauchesne, Professor, Department of Criminology.
From the Simon Fraser University:
Mr. Neil Boyd, Professor, Department of Criminology.
Pursuant to its order of reference to reassess Canada's anti-drug legislation and policies.
The Chair made introductory remarks.
Mr. Eugene Oscapella made a statement and answered questions.
It was agreed, -- That the briefs entitled "Witch Hunts and Chemical McCarthyism: The Criminal Law and Twentieth Century Canadian Drug Policy" and "Profiteers and Prohibition" presented by Eugene Oscapella, be filed as exhibits with the Clerk of the Committee (Exhibit 5700-2.36/I1, 1 "1"and Exhibit 5700-2.36/I1, 1 "2").
It was agreed, -- That written questions be collected and sent to the witness. Responses are to be filed as an exhibit with the Clerk of the Committee (Exhibit 5700-2.36/I1, 1 "3").
Mrs. Line Beauchesne made a statement and answered questions.
It was agreed, -- That the brief entitled "Setting public policy on drugs: a question of social values -- What do we in Canada Want?" presented by Line Beauchesne, be filed as an exhibit with the Clerk of the Committee (Exhibit 5700-2.36/I1, 1 "4").
It was agreed, -- That written questions be collected and sent to the witness. Responses are to be filed as an exhibit with the Clerk of the Committee (Exhibit 5700-2.36/I1, 1 "5").
The committee suspended at 12:00 p.m.
The committee resumed at 12:33 p.m.
Mr. Neil Boyd made a statement and answered questions.
It was agreed, -- That written questions be collected and sent to the witness. Responses are to be filed as an exhibit with the Clerk of the Committee (Exhibit 5700-2.36/I1, 1 "6").
At 2:00 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, October 16, 2000
(5)
[English]
The Special Committee on Illegal Drugs met this day in room 257, East Block, at 3:09 p.m., the Chair, the Honourable Senator Pierre Claude Nolin, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Carstairs, Kenny, Nolin, Pépin and Rossiter (5).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Stollery and Wilson (2).
In attendance: Jean-Guy Desgagné and Daniel Sansfaçon.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
WITNESS:
From McGill University:
Dr. Mark Zoccolillo, Department of Psychiatry.
Pursuant to its order of reference to reassess Canada's anti-drug legislation and policies.
Dr. Mark Zoccolillo made a statement and answered questions.
It was agreed, -- That the brief entitled "Problem Drug and Alcohol Use in a Community Sample of Adolescents" presented by Mark Zoccolillo, be filed as an exhibit with the Clerk of the Committee (Exhibit 5700-2.36/I1, 1 "7").
It was agreed, -- That written questions be collected and sent to the witness. Responses are to be filed as an exhibit with the Clerk of the Committee (Exhibit 5700-2.36/I1, 1 "8").
At 4:31 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Blair Armitage
Clerk of the Committee