1. Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Branch
HC National Union Management Consultation Committee (NUMCC) Meeting
May 16, 2017
Jacqueline Bogden, Assistant Deputy Minister, CLRB

2. Overview Current Context Proposed Legislation Organization
Our Human Resource Plans
Our Workplace Plans

3. Current Context
All activities associated with cannabis are prohibited with some exceptions:
Access for medical purposes outlined in regulations
Import and export for medical or scientific purposes with a permit from Minister
Cannabis is the most used illegal substance in Canada
Canada has the highest rates of youth cannabis use in the world
Use among youth aged 15 to 19 is 21%; young adults aged 20 to 24 was 30%
Public health and safety concerns related to cannabis use
Health risks from early and heavy use
No control on product safety, potency and quality
Drug-impaired driving
Broad, entrenched illegal market
Burden on justice system, and associated social impacts
Laws not well understood, inconsistently applied

4. Proposed Legislation
Proposed Cannabis Act (Bill C-45) would create a strict framework for controlling production, distribution, sale and possession of cannabis in Canada
The Act seeks to:
restrict youth access to cannabis
protect young people from promotions or enticements to use cannabis
enhance public awareness of the health risks associated with cannabis
deter and reduce criminal activity by imposing serious criminal penalties for those breaking the law, especially providing to young persons
protect public health through strict product safety and quality requirements
provide for the legal production of cannabis to reduce illegal activities
allow adults to possess and access regulated, quality controlled cannabis
reduce the burden on the criminal justice system
Subject to approval by Parliament, the Act would come into force no later than July 2018

5. Organization
Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Branch established April 2016
Medical cannabis program (75 FTEs)
Partners with RORB, which delivers inspections across Canada
Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Secretariat (25 FTEs)
Supports 3 Ministers in delivering on the Government’s commitment
Organizational readiness team (FTE tbd)
Organizational design and build for implementation of proposed Cannabis Act
Support whole of government coordination of planning, execution and reporting
ADM
Office of Medical Cannabis
Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Secretariat
*Organizational Readiness
(name tbd)

6. Our Human Resource Plans
Staffing across full range of areas of expertise: policy and regulations (EC), science (BI), inspections (SG), program administration (PM), and administrative and clerical services (AS)
Significant planned growth over short/medium term – exact numbers subject to further work and discussions with Treasury Board Secretariat
Areas of high growth include EC, SG, PM, AS, CR
Staffing plans and strategies under development (including talent management, existing pools, external hires, referrals of priority persons, post-secondary recruitment, student bridging)
Working with our HR colleagues to develop enhanced Values and Ethics and Conflict of Interest guidance to existing and new employees

7. Our Workplace Plans
NCR footprint currently spans 4 offices in 2 buildings
Move towards eventual co-location – phased approach required
Regional growth can likely be accommodated in current footprints