Health Committee on Sept. 19th, 2017

[Jody Wilson-Raybould, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

As I've said, we're working very closely with our partners and with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and have been very open with the approach we're taking with respect to Bill C-45.

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Regina—Wascana, SK]

Could I also add that the United States has this evolving problem in terms of its international stance on various issues? While at the federal level they maintain a prohibition, a number of states, including some with very large percentages of the population, are actually moving in the other direction. There may well be a very significant international discussion involving a variety of countries around this issue in the months and years ahead.

[Len Webber, Conservative, Calgary Confederation, AB]

Yes. Dr. Hoffman, Minister Goodale, did bring up the U.S. and the fact that some of the states are and have been legalizing, of course, but it is a federal law not to legalize marijuana. That's apparently how they get around this treaty.

Is there any indication on Uruguay and the ramifications they've experienced from legalizing marijuana in their country?

[Jody Wilson-Raybould, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

In terms of international relations and discussions with Uruguay...?

[Len Webber, Conservative, Calgary Confederation, AB]

Right, in terms of Uruguay breaking the treaty as well. They were part of the UN treaties as well and now they've legalized marijuana. Are you aware of any ramifications or punishment they've received from the international community?

[Jody Wilson-Raybould, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

I would not endeavour to answer a question that is the domain of my counterpart, but I certainly will endeavour and commit to getting back to you after having the opportunity to speak with the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

[Len Webber, Conservative, Calgary Confederation, AB]

Good. Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bill Casey]

The clerk has alerted me to the fact that I overlooked Mr. McKinnon as a permanent member of the committee. He's been here quite a while, but now it's official, so I would like to welcome him officially to the committee as well.

Mr. McKinnon, I understand you're going to share your time with Ms. Sidhu.

[Ron McKinnon, Liberal, Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC]

Yes. Thanks, Chair, and thank you for the welcome.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bill Casey]

You're welcome.

[Ron McKinnon, Liberal, Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC]

I feel like I've been here a long time.

My question is for you, Minister Wilson-Raybould. We know that youth who are found in possession of five grams of cannabis or more will in various other ways engage the criminal justice system by means of the youth criminal justice system. It sounds kind of scary. I know their records will be sealed when they become adults, but I was wondering if there are any other options open to us that are non-criminal in nature that we could explore.

[Jody Wilson-Raybould, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

I think the criminal justice system should be scaring anybody and they should be wanting to avoid it at all costs. In terms of the five grams or less, we're continuing to explore. I'm continuing to have discussions with my counterparts in the provinces and territories to look at that with my colleagues, like what Ontario announced last week in putting in place or using legislation to further restrict cannabis possession among young people, and providing police officers with the ability to seize cannabis that's in possession of a young person, similar to what is currently done with alcohol.

In terms of possession for a young person between 12 and 17, of course, as you mentioned, the Youth Criminal Justice Act applies. That act invites the rehabilitation and reintegration into society of young people. It looks at the maturity level of a young person and the dependency of a young person. It requires a police officer to look at alternative measures if it's appropriate in the circumstances, with a warning or other measures for a young person, so as not to have to proceed, if it's appropriate, through the criminal justice system.

[Ron McKinnon, Liberal, Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC]

Thank you, Minister.

I'll defer to my colleague.

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you to all the ministers for coming here.

To the Minister of Justice, clause 31 of Bill C-45 prohibits the sale of cannabis or a cannabis accessory whose shape is appealing or attractive to youth. Who will determine whether or not that cannabis product or accessory is appealing to youth? Is there a designated minister who will recall them? Perhaps you can explain that.

[Jody Wilson-Raybould, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

If I understand the question correctly, what the act provides with respect to advertising, with respect to people promoting displays, would be under the purview of the Minister of Health, as described in many provisions within the act.

I don't know if my colleague wants to speak to that a little bit further.

[Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Liberal, Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB]

Yes, certainly.

Bill C-45 proposes strict regulations on packaging and labelling, and marketing and advertising. We truly want to ensure that the marketing tools won't be enticing youth to want to consume cannabis. It's very much like we've done with the tobacco legislation and with the tobacco products. The same types of rules will apply, with warnings and also making sure that the packaging is very bland, if I may say. We will also ensure that there are no sponsorships or endorsements when it comes to marketing.

Finally, the only information that will be available on the packaging will be informational-type marketing information: what is in the package, serving sizes, or whatever the case may be. That's the type of information that will be available in the packaging. Again, we want to make sure that the advertising will not entice or encourage young people to use cannabis.

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Thank you.

To the Minister of Health, during last week's meetings we heard about research on cannabis and its impact on health. We know that research is an important tool to help inform decisions made by individuals and by government. How will the legalization of cannabis allow for more research? Is there any plan to do more research on that?

[Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Liberal, Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB]

Thank you very much for the question. It's a very important question.

Our government is completely committed to facilitating research when it comes to cannabis, with really two streams: the medical use and also the recreational use. The CIHR has put out a $1-million grant proposal specifically to do research in those two areas. We are looking forward to the findings. With regard to the Minister of Health, looking at research, when Bill C-45 becomes a reality, from there it will be easier for the Minister of Health to approve that type of research, because the product will be legal at the time.

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bill Casey]

Thanks very much.

Now we go to Mr. Van Kesteren.

[Dave Van Kesteren, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

Thanks, Chair.

Thank you for being here. This is the first time I've had the opportunity to serve in this committee. I think it's going to be a great committee to serve in.

This question is for the health minister, and I'm surprised it hasn't been raised yet. Is it a healthy thing to do, to smoke marijuana?

[Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Liberal, Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB]

As indicated, in Bill C-45 in no way are we promoting that people—

[Dave Van Kesteren, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

But answer the question. Is it a healthy thing to do?

[Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Liberal, Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB]

With respect to the answer—

[Dave Van Kesteren, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

Compare it with cigarette smoking. Is it healthier than cigarette smoking?