Bill S-10 explained in plain English

On May 5, 2010, in the Senate, Bill S-10, an Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, was introduced and given its first reading. The Senate also heard from the Speaker of the Senate of the Republic of Poland. Other proceedings included debates on amendments to the Criminal Code (Bill S-6) and on family homes on reserves (Bill S-4). The Senate adjourned until May 6, 2010.

This Senate sitting on May 11, 2010, included tributes to Senator Wilbert Keon, who was retiring. The sitting also dealt with routine proceedings, question period, and several items of "Orders of the Day." Notably, the debate on Bill S-10, an Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, was adjourned at the second reading stage. Other bills discussed included Bill S-2 (amendments to the Criminal Code regarding sex offender registry), Bill S-215 (amendments to the Criminal Code concerning suicide bombings), and Bill C-232 (amendments to the Supreme Court Act regarding official languages).

This artifact is a record of a Senate debate on May 11, 2010. The main discussion was a tribute to Senator Wilbert J. Keon, who was retiring after nearly 20 years of service. Senators from all sides of the chamber spoke about his significant contributions as a cardiac surgeon, the founder of the Ottawa Heart Institute, and as a senator who focused on health policy, particularly through his work on key Senate reports regarding the healthcare system and mental health. The debate also included procedural business such as tabling reports and notices of motions, and questions about funding for northern projects, the First Nations University of Canada, and summer festivals. Additionally, there was a debate on Bill S-10, which proposes amendments to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to establish mandatory minimum penalties for serious drug offenses. Senator John D. Wallace spoke in support of the bill, outlining its provisions and the rationale behind them. Finally, there was a continuation of debate on Bill C-232, concerning the requirement for Supreme Court judges to understand both official languages without an interpreter.

This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting on May 12, 2010. It includes SENATORS' STATEMENTS on various topics such as the Canadian Paraplegic Association, National Nursing Week, and the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship. It also details ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS, including committee reports being tabled and the first reading of a bill. QUESTION PERIOD covers topics like National Securities Regulation, the Copyright Act, medical user fees, the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and strategic reviews. The main focus of the sitting was the second reading debate on Bill S-10, An Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts. The debate on Bill S-10 was suspended and then resumed, with Senator George Baker discussing mandatory minimum sentences and the rescheduling of certain substances. Other bills and committee reports were also addressed. The sitting concluded with remarks on the business of the Senate and an invitation to send positive thoughts towards the Montreal Canadiens hockey team.

This Senate debate record from May 12, 2010, primarily concerns the second reading of Bill S-10, an Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. While the main focus is on this bill, the Senate also discussed other matters including statements on various social issues, tabling of committee reports, and questions regarding national securities regulation, copyright, medical user fees, and Canada's role in international missions. The debate on Bill S-10 included discussions on mandatory minimum sentences and the reclassification of certain drugs. The debate was suspended to allow for further consideration.

This document is a record of a Senate sitting on May 13, 2010. While the bill "An Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts" (Bill S-10) was at second reading, the sitting included various other proceedings. These included Senators' Statements on topics like the Citizenship Act and Air Force Appreciation Day, the presentation of a committee report on user fees for Health Canada programs, and a significant portion of Question Period addressing issues such as airline passenger lists, public service appointments, the Enabling Accessibility Fund, and climate change. A point of order was raised and discussed concerning partisan remarks made during Senators' Statements. The sitting also featured continued debate on Bill S-10, with Senator Nolin expressing concerns about the effectiveness of prohibition and recommending further study on drug policy. There was also debate and referral to committee for Bill S-206 (Board of Directors Gender Parity) and Bill C-232 (Supreme Court Act amendments regarding official languages). Several committee reports were adopted, and the Senate adjourned until May 26, 2010.

This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting that took place on September 29, 2010. The sitting included tributes to the late Senator Norman Atkins, statements on various topics including the Ismaili Walk for Women and recent election results in New Brunswick, routine proceedings such as tabling reports and adjourning the Senate, and question period. The sitting also addressed "Orders of the Day", where Bill S-10, an Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, was read a second time and referred to a committee. Other legislative items and inquiries were also discussed.

On November 4, 2010, the Senate conducted its routine proceedings, including tabling reports and notices of motions. A significant procedural event was the presentation of the eleventh report from the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs concerning Bill S-10, An Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The committee reported the bill with one amendment. This amendment proposed a review of the Act, including a cost-benefit analysis of mandatory minimum sentences, within five years of its commencement. The report was then placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting. The Senate also engaged in Question Period on topics such as official languages, the Canadian Polar Commission, the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, the 2011 Census, climate change policy, and the release of government information. The sitting concluded with debates and motions related to other bills and committee studies, including the Canada Consumer Product Safety Bill (Bill C-36), the Sustaining Canada's Economic Recovery Bill (Bill C-47), and Bill S-220, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act. The Senate then adjourned until November 16, 2010.

On November 17, 2010, the Senate convened and engaged in several procedural activities, including the tabling of reports from parliamentary associations and debates on various bills. A significant portion of the sitting involved a discussion about Bill S-10, concerning amendments to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The Senate debated the eleventh report of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee regarding this bill, which proposed an amendment to extend the review period for mandatory minimum penalties to five years and allow review by committees of either the Senate or the House of Commons. The debate also touched upon the process by which Bill C-311 (the Climate Change Accountability Bill) was defeated at second reading the previous day, with senators from both sides offering differing accounts of the events and questioning the procedural implications. Discussions also occurred regarding Bill C-14 (Fairness at the Pumps Act) and Bill S-11 (Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Bill), focusing on their provisions, fairness, and consultation processes. Finally, a question of privilege was raised concerning discrepancies between the audio recording and the written Hansard record of a previous day's proceedings.

This document is a record of a Senate sitting on November 24, 2010. It includes various proceedings such as Senators' Statements, Routine Proceedings, Question Period, and Orders of the Day. Notably, there was a debate regarding Bill S-10, An Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Senator Charlie Watt spoke against the mandatory minimum sentences proposed in the bill, arguing they would override the Gladue principle and disproportionately affect Indigenous offenders, particularly those with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. He proposed an amendment to allow courts to deviate from mandatory minimums in certain circumstances for Indigenous offenders. The sitting also addressed other matters, including a report on user fees for the National Parole Board, a bill to amend the Canada Pension Plan, and discussions on pluralism, racism, and palliative care.

On December 7, 2010, the Senate convened, beginning with tributes to the late Honourable Norman K. Atkins. Routine proceedings included the tabling of various reports, including the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development's 2010 Fall Report and the government's response to the Official Languages Committee's third report. Several bills were introduced at first reading. During Orders of the Day, the Senate considered amendments from the House of Commons to a Criminal Code bill, debated and adopted the eleventh report of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee concerning Bill S-10 (An Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act), which included the defeat of a proposed amendment, and debated other bills at various stages. The sitting also included discussions on long-term disability benefits for former Nortel employees, and the government's response to questions raised. The Senate adjourned at the end of the day.

This Senate sitting on December 13, 2010, included discussions on various topics, routine proceedings, question period, and orders of the day. Notably, Bill S-10, an Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, was at its third reading stage in the Senate. The sitting also featured debates on other bills and reports, and included statements from Senators on important matters.