SNUD Committee Meeting
Notices of Meeting include information about the subject matter to be examined by the committee and date, time and place of the meeting, as well as a list of any witnesses scheduled to appear. The Evidence is the edited and revised transcript of what is said before a committee. The Minutes of Proceedings are the official record of the business conducted by the committee at a sitting.
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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Meeting No. 40
Thursday, April 25, 2002
The Special Committee on Non-Medical Use of Drugs met in a televised session at 3:35 p.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, the Chair, Paddy Torsney, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Carole-Marie Allard, Bernard Bigras, Hedy Fry, Derek Lee, Réal Ménard, Kevin Sorenson, Paddy Torsney and Randy White.
Acting Members present: Stéphane Bergeron for Bernard Bigras; André Harvey for Jacques Saada; Diane Marleau for Dominic Leblanc; Brent St-Denis for Jacques Saada and Guy St-Julien for Mac Harb.
In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Chantal Collin and Marilyn Pilon, research officers.
Witness: From the House of Commons: Keith Martin, Esquimalt--Juan de Fuca.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the House of Commons on
Thursday, May 17, 2001, and of Wednesday, April 17, 2002, referring the subject
matter of Bill C-344, An Act to amend the Contraventions Act and the Controlled
Drugs and Substances Act (marihuana) to the Special Committee, the Committee
resumed consideration of the factors underlying or relating to the non-medical
use of drugs (See Minutes of Proceedings of Thursday, June 7, 2001, Meeting
No. 1).
Pursuant to the notice of motion requirements adopted by the Committee at its meeting of Thursday, June 7, 2001, Réal Ménard moved the following motion:
That this Committee unreservedly denounce the unjust and antidemocratic manner in which the government treated Keith Martin’s private member’s bill on the decriminalization of cannabis.
And debate arose thereon.
A point of order was raised as to the procedural acceptability of the motion. The Chair ruled:
RULING BY THE CHAIR:
The motion is in contravention of Standing Order 18 and page 525, second paragraph of the House of Commons Procedure and Practice - “Members may not speak against or reflect upon any decision of the House.” I must therefore declare the motion out of order.
Whereupon, Réal Ménard appealed the decision of the Chair.
The question was put on the decision and it was by a recorded division sustained.
YEAS
Carole-Marie
Allard Derek
Lee
Hedy Fry Diane Marleau
André Harvey Guy St-Julien ‑ 6
NAYS
Stéphane
Bergeron Kevin
Sorenson
Réal Ménard Randy White ‑ 4
Derek Lee moved, - That the second motion of Réal Ménard relating to the distribution of documents in both official languages be debated following the testimony of the witness.
And debate arose thereon.
At 4:13 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 4:16 p.m., the sitting resumed.
By unanimous consent, the motion of Derek Lee was withdrawn.
Pursuant to notice of motion requirements adopted by the Committee at its meeting of Thursday, June 7, 2002: On motion of Réal Ménard, it was unanimously agreed, - That this Committee proceed with the distribution of documents only when they are available in both official languages.
The Committee proceeded to consideration of its Order of the Day.
Keith Martin made a statement and answered questions.
At 5:04 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
Carol Chafe
Clerk of the Committee