THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Thursday, October 9, 2025
(6)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 10:29 a.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the deputy chair, the Honourable Flordeliz (Gigi) Osler, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Arnold, Bernard, Boudreau, Brazeau, Burey, Greenwood, Hay, McPhedran, Muggli, Osler, Petitclerc and Senior (12).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Youance (1).

Participating in the meeting: Mayra Perez-Leclerc and Diana Ambrozas, analysts, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, June 12, 2025, the committee began its consideration of Bill S-202, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (warning label on alcoholic beverages).

WITNESSES:

The Honourable Senator Patrick Brazeau, sponsor of the bill.

Health Canada:

Aysha Mawani, Director General, Controlled Substances and Opioid Response Directorate, Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch;

Sheri Todd, Director General, Horizontal Policy, Planning and Programs Directorate, Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch;

Martin Duplessis, Acting Director General, Food and Nutrition Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch.

Public Health Agency of Canada:

Annie Comtois, Acting Director General, Centre for Health Promotion, Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Branch.

The Honourable Senator Brazeau made a statement and answered questions.

At 11:28 a.m., the committee suspended.

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

Aysha Mawani made a statement and, together with Sheri Todd and Martin Duplessis, answered questions.

At 12:25 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Ferda Simpson

Clerk of the Committee