Bill S-5 explained in plain English

On November 22, 2016, the Senate convened for a sitting that included routine proceedings, question period, and the consideration of various orders of the day. During routine proceedings, Bill S-5, an Act to amend the Tobacco Act and the Non-smokers’ Health Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, was introduced and read for the first time. Other proceedings included the tabling of departmental performance reports, the introduction of other bills, and the consideration of various motions related to committee work. The sitting also featured question period on topics such as aircraft procurement, political fundraising, and environmental policy, as well as debates and votes on other bills and committee reports.

This record details a Senate sitting on December 13, 2016. The majority of the sitting involved tributes to Senator Wilfred P. Moore, who was retiring. Several other procedural matters were addressed, including the presentation of committee reports, notices of motions, and the continuation of debates on various bills. Notably, the debate on Bill S-5, concerning tobacco and vaping products, was adjourned. Other discussions touched upon the Canada Pension Plan, budget implementation bills, softwood lumber negotiations, the Trudeau Foundation, RCMP collective bargaining, Canada-U.S. trade relations, victims' rights, crude oil tanker moratoria, criminal justice system delays, UN deployment, the Court Challenges Program, violence in urban centres, and the temporary foreign worker program.

This record details the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-5. The sponsor of the bill, Senator Chantal Petitclerc, introduced the legislation, highlighting its dual aims: to standardize tobacco product packaging and to create a regulatory framework for vaping products. Senator Petitclerc shared personal anecdotes and statistics to emphasize the bill's importance in protecting youth from tobacco and nicotine addiction while also acknowledging the potential public health benefits of vaping as a smoking cessation tool. Several senators also participated in the discussion, with Senator Claude Carignan raising parallels to cannabis regulation and Senator Frances Lankin and others discussing the details of vaping product regulation and the consultation process. The debate was adjourned for further consideration.

On March 1, 2017, the Senate of Canada convened for a sitting that included routine proceedings, question period, and continued debate on Bill S-5. During routine proceedings, various reports were tabled and notices of motions were given. Question Period featured the Minister of Health answering questions on a range of topics including marijuana legalization, antibiotic resistance, the opioid crisis, palliative care, and Indigenous health. The Senate also began the second reading debate for Bill S-5, which aims to amend the Tobacco Act and the Non-smokers’ Health Act, and continued debate on another bill concerning the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code.

On March 9, 2017, the Senate met for its sitting. During Routine Proceedings, several committee reports were tabled, and a bill amending the Criminal Code was introduced and read for the first time. The Senate also debated and voted on various matters, including a motion to affect Question Period, adjournment, and several bills at different stages. The sitting included Question Period, where senators asked questions on topics such as infrastructure spending, the John Diefenbaker Defender of Human Rights and Freedom Award, international market access for agricultural products, grain transportation, medical assistance in dying, pulse crop exports to India, and marijuana legalization. Debates continued on amendments to the Citizenship Act (Bill C-6), second reading of the Tobacco and Non-smokers' Health Act (Bill S-5), second reading of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Bill C-37), and the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act (Bill S-235). A message from the House of Commons concerning an amendment to Bill S-201 (genetic discrimination) was received. The Senate also authorized committees to extend their reporting dates and to undertake new studies. The sitting concluded with adjournment.

On March 9, 2017, the Senate was engaged in the second reading debate for Bill S-5, An Act to amend the Tobacco Act and the Non-smokers’ Health Act. This particular artifact is a record of the debate on Bill S-5, not the bill itself. The debate focused on the proposed regulations for vaping products and the implementation of plain packaging for tobacco products. Senators discussed the need for regulation, the potential health impacts of vaping, and concerns about marketing to youth. The debate also touched upon existing tobacco control legislation and international approaches to regulating these products. The bill was subsequently referred to committee for further study. The artifact also contains records of other Senate business, including statements by senators, tabling of reports, question period, and debates on other bills.

This document is a record of a Senate sitting on May 2, 2017. During this sitting, several routine proceedings occurred, including the presentation of the Twelfth Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology concerning Bill S-5, which aims to amend the Tobacco Act and the Non-smokers’ Health Act. Other significant activities included debates on various motions, the tabling of delayed answers to oral questions, and discussions on other bills and committee reports. The sitting also featured statements by senators on topics such as Journey to Freedom Day, the election of Saudi Arabia to the Commission on the Status of Women, and Speech and Hearing Month, as well as personal statements about Senator Victor Oh and the fiftieth anniversary of Expo 67. There was also a significant debate regarding an amendment to Bill C-6, concerning the Citizenship Act, which proposed allowing judges to revoke citizenship for dual nationals convicted of terrorism offences. Additionally, the Senate debated Bill C-37 regarding controlled substances and supervised consumption sites, and Bill S-229 concerning underground infrastructure safety.

On May 9, 2017, the Senate considered the twelfth report from the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology regarding Bill S-5, an act to amend the Tobacco Act and the Non-smokers’ Health Act. The committee recommended adopting the bill with amendments. Senator Kelvin Kenneth Ogilvie, presenting the report, explained that the bill aims to regulate the manufacture, sale, labelling, and promotion of vaping products and certain tobacco products, with a particular focus on preventing sales and promotion to minors. He noted that the committee heard from 21 witnesses and received numerous submissions during its review, which led to 10 amendments. These amendments included technical clarifications, adjustments to regulations on tobacco and vaping products, a requirement for the minister to review the act's provisions, and an amendment intended to ban menthol and cloves as flavourings for certain tobacco products. The report also included observations from committee members concerning the need for stronger regulations against non-medical professionals giving advice on smoking cessation, the requirement for clear standards for nicotine and e-liquid concentrations, and concerns about contraband tobacco. The Senate adopted the report, and the bill, as amended, was scheduled for third reading at the next sitting.

On May 10, 2017, the Senate held its third reading debate for Bill S-5, an act to amend the Tobacco Act and the Non-smokers’ Health Act. The debate focused on the provisions of the bill concerning plain packaging for tobacco products and the regulation of vaping products. Senators discussed the effectiveness of plain packaging in reducing tobacco use, particularly among youth, and addressed concerns about potential increases in illicit tobacco trade. They also debated the regulation of vaping products, including restrictions on flavours, advertising, and the promotion of these products, aiming to balance protection for youth with options for adult smokers. Amendments were proposed and adopted concerning menthol and clove flavouring in tobacco products and technical adjustments to regulations for vaping products. The debate was ultimately adjourned.

The Senate sat on May 11, 2017. The sitting included time for Senators' Statements, Routine Proceedings, Question Period, and Orders of the Day. Most of the sitting was dedicated to debate on various topics, including Bill S-5 at third reading, the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) Implementation Bill at third reading, and reports from Senate committees. There were also inquiries and motions discussed.

This document is a record of the Senate's third reading debate on Bill S-5, an act to amend the Tobacco Act and the Non-smokers’ Health Act. While the bill received Royal Assent on this date, the provided text focuses on the debate and other proceedings of the Senate on May 18, 2017, not the bill's specific actions or final impact. The debate itself is not fully detailed in this excerpt; rather, it lists various proceedings including senators' statements on different topics, routine proceedings like committee reports, question period exchanges, and other orders of the day. The specific debate on Bill S-5 is noted as "Debate Continued" under Orders of the Day.

This document details the proceedings of the Senate on June 1, 2017. The Senate received Royal Assent for Bill C-31, concerning a Free Trade Agreement between Canada and Ukraine. A significant portion of the sitting was dedicated to third reading debates on several bills, including Bill S-3 concerning amendments to the Indian Act to eliminate sex-based inequities, Bill C-7 regarding public service labour relations, Bill S-5 concerning amendments to the Tobacco Act and the Non-smokers’ Health Act, and Bill C-18 concerning the Rouge National Urban Park Act. The Senate also debated motions related to amending rules, establishing special committees on the Arctic and the charitable sector, and amending the National Anthem Act. Various senators raised questions and made statements on topics such as the Phoenix pay system, indexed taxes on alcohol, aircraft procurement, and funding for a giant rubber duck.