Justice Committee on Sept. 19th, 2017

[Colin Fraser, Liberal, West Nova, NS]

In comparing it to alcohol, and I know that's difficult to do and I accept what you say, I guess that's the experience we have, so that's a natural comparison that we're making when thinking about this. People may know that while it may not be advisable, you could go out for dinner and have a glass of wine and drive home, and you're probably not over the legal limit. If you go out and have 10 glasses of wine and drive home, you're probably over the legal limit.

Is there a similar way to understand, while maybe not advisable, how much an individual can consume and be able to drive a motor vehicle without being impaired? Would there be a way to do that, similar to the one glass of wine? Can you smoke a little bit of weed and be able to drive under the legal per se limit thus proposed? How would a person know?

[Dr. Douglas Beirness]

There's a very simple way to know. None. That's the only way to know. The question that I've received from the general public and other people over the years that I've been doing this kind of work has been, “How much can I drink and still drive?” We can do calculations and we can look at time and sex and those kinds of things and sort of say, “Yeah, probably keep it under two, maybe three you're okay, and you'll be under the limit.” I didn't say you weren't impaired, but you'd probably be under the limit.

I dread the day somebody comes to me and says, “How much cannabis can I smoke and still drive”, because the only answer to that question is none. I don't believe that there's any amount of cannabis that you can smoke, and at some point not be above two. Because the level of THC rises so quickly, you will rise above two at some point, and you will come back down at some point, too. There really is no amount of cannabis that we can recommend that a person could smoke and still be below the limit and be unimpaired.

[Colin Fraser, Liberal, West Nova, NS]

Fair enough. That's a helpful answer. Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Housefather]

Thank you very much.

You're out of time, but I want to know if anybody has any short questions.

[Colin Fraser, Liberal, West Nova, NS]

I have a very quick question.

I have a question for the representatives of the Quebec Bar.

I don't think you mentioned the use of an ignition interlock system in your presentation. The bill proposes to eliminate a minimum prohibition period, which would reduce the number of charges contested.

Are you in agreement with that? Do you think that is a good idea and why?

[Benoît Gariépy]

In our brief, we said that was one of the very good aspects of the bill. People who approach my firm after being charged would probably contest those charges much less often if they were able to drive right away after their conviction. I am not minimizing impaired driving, but if people had an ignition interlock system as proposed in this bill, I am confident that this would greatly reduce the number of charges contested, although I could not give you a figure. The previous group of witnesses said that the ignition interlock system is a very good thing.

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Housefather]

Thank you very much.

Are there any other questions? I see there are not.

Thank you very much. You made a very good presentation.

Before we end the meeting, we have to elect the first vice-chair of the committee.

Mr. Falk has been replaced on the committee. I believe it's going to be Mr. Nicholson.

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Edmonton, AB]

I would like to nominate Rob Nicholson.

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Housefather]

Perfect. I think the clerk has to read something.

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mrs. Julie Geoffrion]

Yes.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the first vice-chair must be a member of the official opposition.

I'm now prepared to receive motions for the first vice-chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Housefather]

Mr. Cooper.

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Edmonton, AB]

I would like to nominate Rob Nicholson.

[The Clerk]

It has been moved by Mr. Cooper that Mr. Nicholson be elected as first vice-chair of the committee.

Are there any further motions?

Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?

[Colin Fraser, Liberal, West Nova, NS]

Yes, unanimously.

[The Clerk]

I declare the motion carried, and Mr. Nicholson duly elected first vice-chair of the committee.

(Motion agreed to)

[Rob Nicholson, Conservative, Niagara Falls, ON]

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Housefather]

This is definitely a happier moment for him than when he was named minister of justice, a huge moment.

[Rob Nicholson, Conservative, Niagara Falls, ON]

I have to tell you, I believe it was 30 years ago this month that I became vice-chair of a justice committee here, but I liked the spot I had on that side of the—

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Housefather]

It's the circle of life, right?

[Rob Nicholson, Conservative, Niagara Falls, ON]

Exactly. The circle of life. What comes around goes around.

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Housefather]

Thank you very much everyone.

The meeting is adjourned.