Legislative Assembly of Ontario

The committee met at 1600 in committee room 2.

Subcommittee report

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Good afternoon, everyone. I’ll call the Standing Committee on General Government to order. It’s a pleasure to see you all this afternoon.

We held a subcommittee meeting Monday, May 9, which was two days ago, and we prepared a report to be discussed this afternoon. I would ask if there is a member who would wish to read the subcommittee report into the record.

Ms. Harinder Malhi: Sure.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Ms. Malhi.

Ms. Harinder Malhi: I’d like to move the subcommittee report:

(1) That the committee meet during its regularly scheduled times on Monday, May 16, 2016, and Wednesday, May 18, 2016, for the purpose of public hearings.

(2) That the Clerk of the Committee post information regarding public hearings on the Ontario parliamentary channel, the Legislative Assembly website, and on Canada NewsWire—

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Excuse me. I think what you’re doing is you’re reading the subcommittee report that was probably prepared by your party; however, there is the official subcommittee report in the package that was provided to you.

Ms. Harinder Malhi: Sure. That’s a little different.

Mr. Jim McDonell: Not that we can’t trust your interpretation.

Ms. Harinder Malhi: Okay, I’m moving the subcommittee report on committee business—

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Ms. Malhi, start at the very beginning.

Ms. Harinder Malhi: I’d like to move the report of the subcommittee, Monday, May 9, 2016:

Your subcommittee on committee business met on Monday, May 9, 2016, to consider the method of proceeding on Bill 178, An Act to amend the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, and recommends the following:

(1) That the committee hold public hearings on Bill 178 in Toronto, at Queen’s Park, on Monday, May 16 and Wednesday, May 18, 2016, during its regular meeting times.

(2) That the Clerk of the Committee, with the authorization of the Chair, post information regarding the committee’s business with respect to Bill 178 in English and French on the Ontario parliamentary channel, on the Legislative Assembly website, and with the CNW newswire service.

(3) That interested people who wish to be considered to make an oral presentation on Bill 178 should contact the Clerk of the Committee by 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 12, 2016.

(4) That, following the deadline for receipt of requests to appear on Bill 178, the Clerk of the Committee provide the subcommittee members, by e-mail, with a list of all the potential witnesses who have requested to appear before the committee.

(5) That, if required, each of the subcommittee members provide the Clerk of the Committee with a prioritized list of the witnesses they would like to hear from by 10 a.m. on Friday, May 13, 2016. These witnesses must be selected from the original list distributed by the committee Clerk.

(6) That groups and individuals be offered 10 minutes for their presentations, followed by up to nine minutes for questions by committee members: three minutes per caucus.

(7) That the deadline for receipt of written submissions on Bill 178 be 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25, 2016.

(8) That, prior to the start of public hearings on May 16, 2016, the research officer provide the committee with a summary of the available data on the health effects of marijuana.

(9) That, prior to the start of public hearings on May 16, 2016, the research officer provide the committee with an overview of the law on dispensing medical marijuana and related issues, such as zoning and the status of dispensaries.

(10) That the research officer provide the committee with a summary of oral presentations and any available written submissions as soon as possible, and no later than on Tuesday, May 24, 2016.

(11) That amendments to Bill 178 be filed with the Clerk of the Committee by 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2016.

(12) That the committee meet on Monday, May 30 and Wednesday, June 1, 2016, during its regular meeting times for clause-by-clause consideration of Bill 178.

(13) That the Clerk of the Committee, in consultation with the Chair, be authorized to commence making any preliminary arrangements necessary to facilitate the committee’s proceedings prior to the adoption of this report.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Thank you very much, Ms. Malhi. That was rapid.

Any further discussion on the subcommittee report? Mr. McDonell.

Mr. Jim McDonell: Just a question of when they were able to post it on the parliamentary website.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Mr. Clerk?

The Clerk pro tem (Mr. Trevor Day): I have to check with the Clerk herself. Following the adoption of this report it will be posted, but it may be posted right now. The last line says, “ ... be authorized to commence making any preliminary arrangements ... prior to the adoption of this report.” The subcommittee meeting was held Monday, May 9—

Mr. Jim McDonell: One of the conditions was that it be posted almost immediately.

The Clerk pro tem (Mr. Trevor Day): If that was the understanding for the Clerk in the subcommittee, that would’ve happened.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Further discussion? Mr. Colle.

Mr. Mike Colle: In my discussion with the Clerk yesterday, she indicated to me that they were already up.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Thank you, Mr. Colle.

Further discussion? There being none, I shall call for the vote on the report of the subcommittee. Those in favour? Those opposed? I declare the subcommittee report carried.

There being no further business of this committee—

Interjections: Oh, no.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): No, seriously. No, I’m serious.

I declare this meeting adjourned.

The committee adjourned at 1605.

CONTENTS

Wednesday 11 May 2016

Subcommittee report G-1093

STANDING COMMITTEE ON GENERAL GOVERNMENT

Chair / Président

Mr. Grant Crack (Glengarry–Prescott–Russell L)

Vice-Chair / Vice-Président

Mr. Lou Rinaldi (Northumberland–Quinte West L)

Mr. Mike Colle (Eglinton–Lawrence L)

Mr. Grant Crack (Glengarry–Prescott–Russell L)

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky (Windsor West / Windsor-Ouest ND)

Ms. Ann Hoggarth (Barrie L)

Ms. Harinder Malhi (Brampton–Springdale L)

Mr. Jim McDonell (Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry PC)

Ms. Eleanor McMahon (Burlington L)

Mr. Lou Rinaldi (Northumberland–Quinte West L)

Ms. Lisa M. Thompson (Huron–Bruce PC)

Substitutions / Membres remplaçants

Mr. Lorne Coe (Whitby–Oshawa PC)

Mr. John Vanthof (Timiskaming–Cochrane ND)

Clerk pro tem / Greffier par intérim

Mr. Trevor Day

Staff / Personnel

Ms. Erin Fowler, research officer,
Research Services