Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act, is now law. The bill is a piece of government legislation that legalized access to recreational cannabis in Canada when it came into force on October 17, 2018. The bill received Royal Assent on June 21, 2018 during a ceremony in the Senate Chamber.
The bill, which also controls and regulates how cannabis is grown, distributed and sold, was introduced in the Senate and given first reading on November 28, 2017. It was passed in the House of Commons on November 27, 2017.
Bill C-45 was adopted at second reading in the Senate on March 22, 2018 and was referred to the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology. Four other committees also studied aspects of the bill.
The committee’s report, with amendments to the bill, was adopted on division on May 30, 2018.
On May 31, 2018, debate began at third reading. Pursuant to a motion adopted in the Chamber, speeches and amendments were grouped thematically:
The vote at third reading took place on June 7, 2018. Bill C-45, as amended, was adopted by a vote of 56 to 30, with one abstention. The House of Commons accepted some of the Senate’s amendments.
On June 19, 2018, senators voted 52 to 29, with two abstentions, to adopt a motion to inform the House of Commons that the Senate would not insist on amendments with which the House had disagreed.
RESOURCES: How a bill becomes a law Glossary of key Senate terms
DEBATE ON A MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
SOCI - Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
Bill C-45 was referred to the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology after it was adopted at second reading in the Senate on March 22, 2018.
The committee’s report, with amendments, was presented to the Senate on May 29, 2018.
Monday, May 28, 2018
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Friday, May 25, 2018
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Thursday, May 24, 2018
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Wednesday, May 23, 2018
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Tuesday, May 22, 2018
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Thursday, May 10, 2018
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Wednesday, May 9, 2018
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Pursuant to a motion adopted on February 15, 2018, four other Senate committees studied aspects of the bill.
AEFA - Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade
The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade studied the bill as it relates to Canada’s international obligations.
APPA - Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples
The Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples studied the bill as it relates to the Indigenous peoples of Canada.
LCJC - Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
The Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs studied elements contained in parts 1, 2, 8, 9 and 14 of the bill.
SECD - Senate Committee on National Security and Defence
The Senate Committee on National Security and Defence studied the bill as it relates to Canada’s borders.
Bill 26: An Act to Control and Regulate Cannabis
Latest: Received Royal Assent on December 15, 2017.
Bill 29: An Act to Reduce Cannabis and Alcohol Impaired Driving
Latest: Received Royal Assent on December 15, 2017.
Bill 6: Gaming and Liquor Statutes Amendment Act, 2018
Latest: Received Royal Assent on June 11, 2018.
Highlights:
SOURCE: Government of Alberta
Last updated: June 15, 2018
Bill 30: Cannabis Control and Licensing Act
Latest: Received Royal Assent on May 31, 2018.
Bill 31: Cannabis Distribution Act
Latest: Received Royal Assent on May 31, 2018.
Highlights:
Last updated: June 15, 2018
Bill 25: The Cannabis Harm Prevention Act (various acts amended)
Latest: Received Royal Assent on June 2, 2017.
Bill 11: The Safe and Responsible Retailing of Cannabis Act (Liquor and Gaming Control Act and Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation Act Amended)
Latest: Received Royal Assent on June 4, 2018.
Bill 25: The Non-Smokers Health Protection and Vapour Products Amendment Act (Prohibiting Cannabis Consumption in Outdoor Public Places)
Latest: Received Royal Assent on June 4, 2018.
Highlights:
SOURCE: Government of Manitoba
Last updated: June 15, 2018
Bill 16: Cannabis Control Act
Latest: Received Royal Assent on March 16, 2018.
Bill 17: Cannabis Management Corporation Act
Latest: Received Royal Assent on March 16, 2018.
Bill 18: Cannabis Education and Awareness Fund Act
Latest: Received Royal Assent on March 16, 2018.
Bill 20: An Act to Amend the New Brunswick Liquor Corporation Act
Latest: Received Royal Assent on March 16, 2018.
Highlights:
SOURCE: Government of New Brunswick
Last updated: June 15, 2018
Bill 20: Cannabis Control Act
Latest: Received Royal Assent on May 31, 2018.
Bill 23: Liquor Corporation Act
Latest: Received Royal Assent on May 31, 2018.
Bill 22: An Act to Amend the Smoke-Free Environment Act, 2005
Latest: Received Royal Assent on May 31, 2018.
Highlights:
SOURCE: Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Last updated: June 15, 2018
Bill 6: Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Implementation Act Latest: Received Royal Assent on June 1, 2018.
Highlights:
SOURCE: Government of Northwest Territories
Last updated: June 15, 2018
Bill 108: Cannabis Control Act
Latest: Received Royal Assent on April 18, 2018.
Highlights:
SOURCE: Government of Nova Scotia
Last updated: June 15, 2018
Bill 3: Cannabis Statutes Amendment Act
Latest: Received Royal Assent on June 13, 2018.
Bill 7: Cannabis Act
Latest: Received Royal Assent on June 13, 2018.
Highlights:
Last updated: August 20, 2018
Bill 174: Cannabis, Smoke-Free Ontario and Road Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2017
Latest: Received Royal Assent on December 12, 2017.
Bill 36: Cannabis Statute Law Amendment Act, 2018
Latest: Received Royal Assent on October 17, 2018.
Highlights:
SOURCE: Government of Ontario
Last updated: November 26, 2018
Bill 29: An Act to Respond to the Legalization of Cannabis
Latest: Received Royal Assent on June 12, 2018.
Bill 31: Cannabis Taxation Agreement Act
Latest: Received Royal Assent on June 12, 2018
Highlights:
SOURCE: Government of Prince Edward Island
Last updated: August 20, 2018
Bill 157: An Act to constitute the Société québécoise du cannabis, to enact the Cannabis Regulation Act and to amend various highway safety-related provisions
Latest: Received Royal Assent on June 12, 2018.
Bill 2: An Act to tighten the regulation of cannabis
Latest: Introduced at first reading on December 5, 2018.
Highlights:
SOURCE: Government of Quebec
Last updated: December 6, 2018
Bill 112: The Miscellaneous Vehicle and Driving Statues (Cannabis Legislation) Amendment Act, 2017
Latest: Received Royal Assent on May 30, 2018.
Bill 115: The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act, 2017
Latest: Received Royal Assent on May 30, 2018.
Bill 121: The Cannabis Control (Saskatchewan) Act
Latest: Received Royal Assent on May 30, 2018.
Bill 122: The Cannabis Control (Saskatchewan) Consequential Amendments Act, 2018
Latest: Received Royal Assent on May 30, 2018.
Highlights:
SOURCE: Government of Saskatchewan
Last updated: June 15, 2018
Bill 15: Cannabis Control and Regulation Act Latest: Received Royal Assent on April 24, 2018.
Highlights:
SOURCE: Government of Yukon
Last updated: June 15, 2018