HESA Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Health met in camera at 11:30 a.m. this day, in Room 112-N, Centre Block, the Chair, Ben Lobb, presiding.

The Committee resumed consideration of a draft report.

It was agreed, — That the draft report, as amended, be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the report be entitled: "Marijuana’s Health Risks and Harms".

It was agreed, — That the Chair, Clerk and analysts be authorized to make such grammatical and editorial changes as may be necessary without changing the substance of the report.

It was agreed, — That the Chair present the report to the House.

It was agreed, — That the Committee append to its report any supplementary/dissenting opinion provided that it is no more than five pages in length, in the same style and format as the report (Arial, 12 point, single space); and it is submitted electronically to the Clerk of the Committee in both official languages, no later than Friday, October 17, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern daylight time).

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the Committee request that the Government table a comprehensive response to the report.

It was agreed, — That a news release be prepared by the analysts and the Clerk, in consultation with the Chair, for publication on the Committee's website and for distribution upon presentation of the report to the House.

At 12:30 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:33 p.m., the sitting resumed.

It was agreed, — That, immediately following the Committee’s consideration of the draft report on marijuana’s health risk and harms, the Committee undertake a study of no fewer than five meetings on e-cigarettes beginning with a briefing from government officials and that this study focus on the following areas:

a) the potential risk, benefits and challenges associated with these products domestically, including the renormalization of smoking, and use as smoking cessation aids,

b) the pros and cons of ways in which different jurisdictions both domestically and internationally have chosen to regulate these products, and

c) options for realizing any benefits and addressing any significant health and safety risks;

That business referred to the Committee by the House such as Government legislation or Estimates take precedence in scheduling over this study; and

That the Committee report its findings to the House.

It was agreed, — That the Committee next meet on Tuesday, October 21, 2014, to hear witnesses from the Department of Health concerning e-cigarettes during the first hour, and then begin with other witnesses during the second hour.

At 1:00 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.