Bill S-229 explained in plain English

On May 25, 2021, the Senate of Canada convened for a sitting that included various procedural matters and debates. Key activities included the Senate resolving into a Committee of the Whole to discuss Bill S-4, first readings of several new bills (S-5, C-208, C-220, C-210), tabling of a report from a parliamentary group, and notices of motions. The sitting also featured extensive Question Period discussions on topics like COVID-19 vaccine rollout, liquefied natural gas projects, international development, finance, Indigenous services, public safety, transport, and recovery planning. A significant portion of the sitting was dedicated to continuing debates on various bills, including Bill S-4 (Parliament of Canada Act amendments), Bill S-202 (Assisted Human Reproduction Act amendments), Bill S-208 (Criminal Records Act amendments), Bill S-207 (Criminal Code - judiciary independence), Bill S-212 (Criminal Code - juror disclosure), Bill S-222 (Income Tax Act - charity resources), Bill S-225 (Copyright Act - journalistic works), Bill C-218 (Criminal Code - sports betting), and a debate on the Speech from the Throne. A new bill, Bill S-229 (Health-Centred Approach to Substance Use Act), was introduced for second reading and its debate was adjourned. The sitting also addressed a point of order, with a ruling reserved, and dealt with a message from the House of Commons regarding Bill S-223.

During the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-229, Senator Gwen Boniface spoke in favour of the bill, highlighting the current overdose crisis in Canada and arguing that criminalizing drug use has been ineffective. She proposed that a health-centred approach, including decriminalization, is necessary. The bill aims to compel the government to develop a national strategy for decriminalizing the possession of illegal substances for personal use and to repeal related provisions in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Senator Boniface emphasized that decriminalization should only occur after appropriate health supports and treatment facilities are in place, drawing on international examples like Portugal and Switzerland. Senator Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia also spoke in support, agreeing that substance use should be treated as a health issue rather than a criminal one and highlighting the potential for a national strategy to improve health outcomes and reduce societal costs. Senator Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition) questioned how decriminalization would prevent overdoses and reduce stigma, and Senator Bev Busson responded by emphasizing the need for a new paradigm focused on crime reduction and addressing underlying issues like homelessness rather than solely on enforcement. The debate on the bill was adjourned.

The Senate sat on June 1, 2021. The sitting began with tributes to the 215 Indigenous children discovered in a mass grave at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. Senators from various groups shared their sorrow, reflections on the legacy of residential schools, and the importance of reconciliation. Following these tributes, the Senate proceeded with routine proceedings, which included tabling documents and presenting committee reports. Several motions were also adopted, including one to resolve into a Committee of the Whole to consider the subject matter of Bill C-5. During Question Period, senators raised issues including consultations for Bill C-15, the National Action Plan for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, health care for transgender people, the COVID-19 vaccine rollout for foreign missions, pandemic support for Air Canada, support for youth aging out of foster care, Arctic sovereignty, import prohibitions on goods produced by forced labour, the review of the Cannabis Act, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and the Canada Emergency Business Account. The Orders of the Day included debate on several bills, including Bill S-4 (Parliament of Canada Act), Bill S-209 (voting age), and Bill S-229 (decriminalization of illegal substances), as well as motions concerning China, the Canada Health Act, and inquiries on long-term care systems and the link between prosperity and immigration. The sitting concluded with continued debate on several items and some items being adjourned or withdrawn.

On June 8, 2021, the Senate held its second reading debate on Bill S-229, which proposes to create a national strategy for the decriminalization of illegal substances and amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The debate focused on the impacts of drug addiction and the potential benefits of treating addiction as a health issue rather than solely a criminal one. Senators noted the high rates of overdose deaths and the long wait times for treatment, suggesting that decriminalization could shift the focus towards health interventions. They also acknowledged that the bill would not eliminate responsibility for illegal drug possession or other criminal activity. The Senate's consideration of Bill S-229 was part of a broader agenda that included other legislative matters, committee reports, and tributes. The sitting concluded without completing the second reading of Bill S-229, as debate was adjourned.

This artifact is a record of a debate in the Senate on June 8, 2021, related to Bill S-229. The debate is not a discussion of the bill's specific clauses but rather a broader conversation about drug policy in Canada. Senator Vernon White spoke about the ongoing opioid crisis, noting the high number of overdose deaths and the long wait times for treatment. He argued that the bill, by focusing on decriminalization, would shift the focus from criminalization to a health-based approach, treating addiction as a health issue rather than a criminal one. He emphasized that this would not be a 'free pass' for drug users but a strategy to engage with the harm caused by drugs and put responsibility within the healthcare system. He also highlighted the disparity between how wealthy individuals and those in poverty are treated for addiction. The debate also included other Senate business, such as tributes and discussions on other bills.

The Senate met on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. The sitting included Senators' Statements on various topics, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Senate proceedings, the academic year-end, National Indigenous Peoples Day, Quebec's National Holiday, the prevention of violence against women, and a tribute to the late Audrey Joy Finlay. Routine Proceedings saw the tabling of reports and the first reading of a bill. Question Period addressed topics such as the Canada Disability Benefit, the Canada Emergency Student Benefit, the National Energy Strategy, the national reopening plan, the position of the Governor General, the use of parliamentary funds, the Canada Infrastructure Bank, and the fight against online sexual exploitation of youth. Orders of the Day included continued debate on the Speech from the Throne, debates on various bills at different stages (including Bill S-229, An Act respecting the development of a national strategy for the decriminalization of illegal substances), and the passage of Bill C-218 (an Act to amend the Criminal Code regarding sports betting) and Bill C-208 (an Act to amend the Income Tax Act concerning the transfer of small businesses). Delayed Answers to Oral Questions were also provided. The sitting concluded with the Senate adjourning until the next day.