Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue No. 38 - Minutes of Proceedings - March 21, 2018

OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 21, 2018
(91)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 4:16 p.m., in room 257, East Block, the chair, the Honourable Serge Joyal, P.C., presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Batters, Boisvenu, Boniface, Carignan, P.C., Dupuis, Eaton, Gold, Joyal, P.C., McIntyre, Pratte and Sinclair (11).

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

In attendance: Julian Walker and Maxime Charron-Tousignant, 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, February 15, 2018, the committee began its examination of the subject matter of those elements contained in Parts 1, 2, 8, 9 and 14 of Bill C-45, an Act respecting cannabis and to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and other Acts.

WITNESSES:

Health Canada:

Eric Costen, Director General, Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Secretariat;

John Clare, Director, Policy, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs.

Department of Justice Canada:

Carole Morency, Director General and Senior General Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section;

Diane Labelle, General Counsel;

Paul Saint-Denis, Senior Counsel.

The chair made a statement.

Mr. Costen and Ms. Morency each made a statement and, together with Mr. Saint-Denis, Mr. Clare and Ms. Labelle, answered questions.

At 6:42 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Keli Hogan,
Clerk of the Committee