THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON BANKING, TRADE AND COMMERCE

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Friday, June 4, 2021
(7)

[English]

Pursuant to the order of the Senate of March 30, 2021, the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce met by videoconference this day at 11:02 p.m. [ET] the chair, the Honourable Howard Wetston, presiding. This meeting is considered to have taken place in the parliamentary precinct.

Members of the committee present by videoconference: The Honourable Senators Bellemare, Dagenais, Deacon (Nova Scotia), Klyne, Loffreda, Marshall, Moncion, Ringuette, Smith, Wallin, Wells and Wetston (12).

Other senators present by videoconference: The Honourable Senators Cotter and Massicotte (2).

Participating in the meeting: Kalina Waltos, Acting Procedural Clerk and Tracy Amendola, Administrative Assistant, Committees Directorate; Brett Stuckey, 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 Tuesday, May 25, 2021, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-218, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sports betting).

WITNESSES (by videoconference):

Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario:

David Phillips, Chief Operating Officer.

British Columbia Lottery Corporation:

Stewart Groumoutis, Director, eGaming;

Jamie Wiebe, Director, Player Health.

Responsible Gambling Council:

Shelley White, Chief Executive Officer;

Tracy Parker, Director, Standards and Accreditation, RG Check.

As an individual:

Donald Bourgeois, Barrister and Solicitor.

Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport:

Paul Melia, President and Chief Executive Officer.

The chair made a statement.

Mr. Phillips, Mr. Groumoutis and Ms. White each made a statement and, together with Ms. Wiebe and Ms. Parker, answered questions.

Mr. Bourgeois and Mr. Melia each made a statement and answered questions.

It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause by clause consideration of Bill C-218, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sports betting).

It was agreed that the title stand postponed.

It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, stand postponed.

It was agreed that clause 2 carry.

It was agreed that clause 3 carry.

It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, carry.

It was agreed that the title carry.

It was agreed that the bill carry.

It was agreed that observations be appended to the committee's report on the bill.

It was agreed that committee proceed in camera to discuss proposed observations.

At 12:44 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 12:45 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to consider a draft report.

It was agreed that each committee member be allowed to have one staff member present in Zoom during the in-camera portion of the meeting.

A discussion took place on the proposed observations.

After debate, it was agreed that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to approve the final version of the observations being appended to the report taking into consideration today's discussion and with any necessary editorial, grammatical or translation changes as required.

It was agreed that the chair report this bill, with observations, to the Senate.

At 1:13 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Mireille K. Aubé

Clerk of the Committee