Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue No. 39 - Minutes of Proceedings - March 29, 2018

OTTAWA, Thursday, March 29, 2018
(94)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 10:32 a.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, Jaffer, Joyal, P.C., McIntyre, Pratte and Sinclair (12).

In attendance: Julian Walker and Maxime Charron-Tousignant, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament; Chantale Lamarche, Communications Officer, Senate Communications Directorate.

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 continued 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. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 38.)

WITNESSES:

Criminal Lawyers' Association:

Michael Spratt, Member, Lawyer, Abergel Goldstein and Partners;

Ayesha Kumararatne, Barrister and Solicitor, Affiliate Counsel to the Federal Practice Group.

Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers:

Eric Neubauer, Representative.

As an individual:

Mark Walters, Professor of Law, McGill University.

Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police:

Chief Mario Harel, President;

Deputy Chief Mike Serr, Co-Chair, Drug Advisory Committee (by video conference).

Canadian Police Association:

Tom Stamatakis, President.

The chair made a statement.

Mr. Spratt, Ms. Kumararatne, Mr. Neubauer and Mr. Walters each made a statement and answered questions.

At 11:34 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 11:39 a.m., the committee resumed.

Chief Harel and Mr. Stamatakis each made a statement and, together with Deputy Chief Serr, answered questions.

At 12:38 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Keli Hogan
Clerk of the Committee