Cannabis Act  Mr. Speaker, to answer the question around why we do not simply decriminalize, to simply decriminalize right now, absent a comprehensive regulatory framework, will not achieve the objectives we are seeking to achieve with the legalization of cannabis. We need to have a regulatory

Cannabis Act  Mr. Speaker, children are getting it right now in massive quantities. Canada has the highest number of young people smoking cannabis. We are seeking to legalize cannabis, strictly regulate it and restrict access. There is nothing in the legislation that provides legal access to

Cannabis Act  Mr. Speaker, this not a laughing matter. I would ask my friend opposite to read the report of the task force on cannabis. The reality is that, right now, Canada has the highest rates of young people using cannabis, and the reason we want to move forward with the legalization of c

Cannabis Act  Mr. Speaker, I certainly thank my hon. colleague across the way for the support for this important piece of legislation. I recognize that there have been advocates for this legislation for a great deal of time. As with all bills that I have and that our government has, we will

Cannabis Act  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the support of my hon. colleague across the way for this piece of legislation. There is a lot of work we need to do and continue to do in ensuring that we work with the provinces and territories around a complex regime from seed to sale in fixing a pric

Cannabis Act  Mr. Speaker, I would submit that we are doing it properly. We have been very open and clear about our objectives around legalization of cannabis, strict regulation, and restricting access to it in order to keep it out of the hands of kids and the proceeds out of the hands of crim

Cannabis Act  Mr. Speaker, we want to put in place a comprehensive regime, a legal source of cannabis, so we can be assured and ensure that the source of cannabis is safe. We took recommendations from the task force around possible home grow, if somebody chooses to do that, with the limits of

Cannabis Act  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the concern from the hon. member across the way. We are moving forward with a public policy approach with respect to the legalization of cannabis, strict regulation, and restricting access. We received recommendations from eminently qualified Canadians

Questions on the Order Paper  Mr. Speaker, Bill C-38, An Act to amend an Act to amend the Criminal Code (exploitation and trafficking in persons) was introduced on February 9, 2017. Human trafficking is a very serious criminal offence, and the government is committed to strengthening its efforts to combat i

Justice  Mr. Speaker, I take my responsibility to appoint superior court justices in the country incredibly seriously. I am very pleased to have introduced a new appointments process that is open and transparent. I am very happy to have appointed 77 justices across the country to the supe

Justice  Mr. Speaker, I am incredibly proud of the 77 meritorious, diverse—

Justice  Mr. Speaker, as I was saying, I am incredibly proud of the 77 substantive, meritorious Superior Court justices who I have been able to appoint thus far. More appointments are going to be coming. The appointees represent the diversity that is our great country. I am going to cont

Justice  Mr. Speaker, I am incredibly proud of the work our government is doing. In Canada we embrace diversity and inclusion. We have to ensure that everybody has the freedom to be who they are. That is why I am incredibly proud that the Senate passed Bill C-16 last week. I look forward

National Security  moved for leave to introduce Bill C-59, An Act respecting national security matters. Mr. Speaker, I would like to table at this time, in both official languages, a charter statement with respect to Bill C-59, an act respecting national security matters. (Motions deemed adopted

Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime  Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the 2015-16 annual report of the office of the federal ombudsman for victims of crime.