Health Canada announces legislative review of Cannabis Act
Kevin Landry and Nikolas Shymko
The Cannabis Act came into force on October 17, 2018, putting in place framework for controlling the sale, possession, production and distribution of cannabis.
The Cannabis Act requires the Minister of Health to conduct a review of the legislation, its administration, and operation three years after coming into force. To fulfill this requirement, the Minister of Health and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions have announced this September, 2022 that an independent Expert Panel will lead a legislative review.
Phase One
The first phase of the Panel’s work will assess impacts of the Cannabis Act through issues identification, evidence gathering and analysis; engagement with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples to determine areas of focus to guide the review; and engagement with stakeholders and the public. Although the Cannabis Act stipulates that this review must focus on the health and cannabis consumption habits of young persons, the impact of cannabis on Indigenous persons and communities, and the impact of the cultivation of cannabis plants in a housing context, Health Canada announced that the Panel will broaden that focus to include:
- Economic, social and environmental impacts of the Cannabis Act;
- Progress towards providing adults with access to strictly regulated, lower risk, legal cannabis products;
- Progress made in deterring criminal activity and displacing the illicit cannabis market;
- Impact of legalization and regulation on access to cannabis for medical purposes; and
- Impacts on Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, and women who might be at greater risk of harm or face greater barriers to participation in the legal industry based on identity or socio-economic factors.
The Panel’s activities will be informed by an online public engagement process, supported by an engagement paper, Taking stock of progress: Cannabis legalization and regulation in Canada, which outlines the key features of the legislative framework, as well as national trends. The Panel will also be informed by feedback from First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners on the paper, Summary from engagement with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples: The Cannabis Act and its impacts. Views on the engagement papers are welcome via the online questionnaire or through written feedback until November 21, 2022.
Phase Two
The second phase of the Panel’s work will focus on providing advice on areas of the legislative framework, or its implementation, that the Government could prioritize for improvement or reform. This will culminate in the preparation of a report to Parliament.
This update is intended for general information only. If you have questions about the above, please contact the authors.
Click here to subscribe to Stewart McKelvey Thought Leadership.
Archive
As many of you will now know, the Nova Scotia Government introduced legislation on Friday, December 6, 2013, amending provisions of the Nova Scotia Trade Union Act dealing with First Contract Arbitration. This client update sets out…
Read MoreIn a decision that will largely be of interest to international organizations that have been granted some type of immunity in Canada, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) has confirmed that international organizations enjoy immunity…
Read MoreThe Prince Edward Island (“PEI”) legislature has proposed changes to the PEI Human Rights Act to add “gender expression” and “gender identity” as new protected grounds of discrimination. First introduced on November 13, 2013 the…
Read MoreWe previously circulated a client update regarding contemplated changes to automobile insurance in Prince Edward Island. Government has now published a consultation paper (www.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/eljautoinreform.pdf), seeking responses in writing on or before December 2, 2013. According to the consultation…
Read MoreThe Association of Caribbean Corporate Counsel (ACCC) released the inaugural edition of its quarterly journal, Caribbean Corporate Counsel, featuring CEO, John Rogers, Q.C., advisor on the International Advisory Board, and an article by partner Paul Smith, entitled “Governance…
Read MoreCHANGES, CHANGES AND MORE CHANGES: KEEPING UP WITH THE TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKER PROGRAM These days, Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (“TFWP”) is more top of mind than ever for Canadian employers. This is in part…
Read MoreBy October 17, 2014 existing not-for-profit corporations incorporated under Part II of the Canada Corporations Act (the “Old Act”) are required to be continued under the new Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (the “New Act”) or face the possibility of automatic administrative…
Read MoreIN THIS ISSUE: Reasonable Cause: A necessary prerequisite for random alcohol testing policies by Mark Tector, Steve Carpenter, CHRP, Melissa Everett Withers, Ruth Trask Business Succession: Why is it critical? by Richard Niedermayer, TEP Privacy Please: Nova Scotia brings in new…
Read MoreOn May 19, 2011, Nova Scotia’s Labour Standards Code was amended to protect foreign workers from exploitation by recruiters and employers. These amendments imposed a requirement for third-party recruiters to obtain a license from the Province to…
Read MoreFacts This appeal arose from a decision which held that the Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company (“Dominion”) has a duty to defend Larry and Lona Hannam and their teenage son Jordan in an action…
Read More