Senate Business - Page 28 of 31

WATCH: Senator Art Eggleton on Age Limits and Criminalization | Senate Study on Bill C-45, The Cannabis Act

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada April 19, 2018 Bill C-45, cannabis, legalization, Senator Art Eggleton

On April 19 2018, Senator Art Eggleton asked some important questions about recommended age limits for the possession of legal cannabis and the harms criminalization has had on young people in this country.

WATCH: Are we ready for legalized cannabis? | Senate Study on Bill C-45, The Cannabis Act

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada April 19, 2018 Bill C-45, cannabis, legalization

On April 19 2018, Ian Culbert of the Canadian Public Health Association answered questions about the extent to which Canada is prepared for the legalization of cannabis. He was one of the many witnesses who testified before the Senate of Canada's Social Affairs, Science and Technology Committee during its examination of Bill C-45, The Cannabis Act.

Age restrictions for legal cannabis | Senate Study on Bill C-45, The Cannabis Act

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada April 18, 2018 Bill C-45, cannabis, legalization, SOCI, video

Lynda Balneaves of the Canadian Nurses Association explains some of the logic behind her organization's support of the age restrictions currently proposed for legal cannabis. Balneaves testified before the Senate of Canada's Social Affairs, Science and Technology (SOCI) committee on April 18, 2018

Question To Minister Qualtrough: What is Public Services doing to promote community benefits?

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada April 17, 2018 Bill C-344, procurement, Public Services

In April 2018, Senator Omidvar asked the Minister of Public Services and Procurement about Bill C-344 and the potential for inserting community benefits principles into her job description. Read more here.

WATCH: Is cannabis a gateway drug? | Senate of Canada Study on Bill C-45, The Cannabis Act

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada April 17, 2018 Bill C-45, cannabis, legalization, SOCI, video

On April 16, 2018 I asked a question on the minds of many Canadians - is cannabis a gateway drug? Click on the link above to hear the response I received from Dr. Bernard Le Foll of the Canadian Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

WATCH: Social Finance 101 – A Video Series

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada April 5, 2018 Social Finance, social innovation

Social finance has been top of mind for me since being appointed Senator. For the past few years I have been working closely with representatives from Canada's philanthropic and private financial sectors to promote innovative ways of financing projects that stand to create both a profit and a substantial social good. I see it as a creative new way - an additional tool - to address some of this country's most wicked problems.

Speech: Motion to Authorize Committee to Hear Witnesses in Regard to Events Surrounding Prime Minister’s Trip to India

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada March 28, 2018 Air India, India, Indo-Canadians

On March 27 2018, Senator Ratna Omidvar rose in the Senate Chamber to speak to Motion 309, Motion to Authorize Committee to Hear Witnesses in Regard to Events Surrounding Prime Minister's Trip to India. Read more here.

Speech: Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act – Senator Tony Dean

Tony Dean Senate of Canada March 23, 2018 Bill C-45, cannabis

Honourable colleagues, Canadians expect us to do this work, and we have a responsibility to make these expectations. Canadians expect us to confront the issues associated with cannabis, not to sweep them back under the rug for another 20 years, senators, or to pretend that prohibition is working.

Speech: Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act – Senator Françoise Mégie

Marie-Françoise Mégie Senate of Canada March 23, 2018 Bill C-45, cannabis

"Honourable senators, legalization may be inevitable, but not at any price. Let’s take advantage of this momentum to engage in deep and meaningful discussions in the various senate committees."

Speech: Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada March 20, 2018 Bill C-45, cannabis, prohibition, racism

"Honourable senators, I support this bill in principle. I support it because the current approach is not working. Many lives have been destroyed by prohibition that has permeated this issue for close to 100 years. It is time for a new approach."