Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

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

OTTAWA, Thursday, March 22, 2018
(92)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 10:33 a.m., in room 160-S, Centre 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).

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

In attendance: Maxime Charron-Tousignant, Analyst, 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 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.

WITNESSES:

Public Safety Canada:

Trevor Bhupsingh, Director General, Law Enforcement and Border Strategies;

Rachel Huggins, Manager, Policy Development;

Kimberly Lavoie, Director, Drug Policy.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police:

Superintendent Yves Goupil, Director, Federal Policing Criminal Operations;

Chief Superintendent Dennis Daley, Director General, Criminal Operations, Community Aboriginal Policing.

Health Canada:

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

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

Department of Justice Canada:

Paul Saint-Denis, Senior Counsel.

The chair made a statement.

Mr. Bhupsingh and Chief Superintendent Daley each made a statement and, together with Superintendent Goupil, Ms. Huggins, Mr. Saint-Denis, Mr. Clare, Ms. Lavoie and Mr. Costen, answered questions.

At 12:54 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Keli Hogan,
Clerk of the Committee