The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) holds the unique position of being Canada’s leading national authority on substance use and addiction. Our internationally recognized experts, along with a mutually supportive yet arms-length relationship with government, help the Centre make a lasting impact on Canadian society through engaging with the public sector.
CCSA increases awareness of evidence and best practices among elected officials, key policy makers, the substance use field and the public, which is crucial to addressing the harms associated with substance use and addiction.
We share our expertise through the following public sector engagement activities:
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Advising federal parliamentarians and public service staff engaged with these issues
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Participating in parliamentary committees and caucuses on substance use matters
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Engaging with provincial and territorial governments
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Developing and nurturing relationships with the media
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Amplifying stakeholder work through our social media channels
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Monitoring relevant legislative and regulatory initiatives at federal and provincial levels
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Hosting CCSA’s Issues of Substance, our biennial conference for the addictions field, research community and public sector
Presentations to Parliament
A Public Health Perspective on Cannabis Legalization and Regulation in Canada
Summarizes our submission to the federal government’s public consultation on cannabis...
Standing Committee on Health: Women’s Health Brief
Submitted to the Standing Committee on Health on Women’s Health in October 2022.
Takes an evidence-based look at how sex and gender are essential in understanding the role...
Standing Committee on Health: Children’s Health Brief
Submitted to the Standing Committee on Health in August 2022.
Calls for the Standing Committee on Health to include substance use health and addiction as part of the...
Policy Brief to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs: Bill C-5
Submitted to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs in September...
Policy Brief to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights: Bill C-5 (previously Bill C-22)
Submitted to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights in April...
Consultation on the Legislative Review of the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act
Submitted to Health Canada in April 2022.
Summarizes CCSA’s feedback on Health...
Standing Committee on Health: Canada’s Health Workforce Brief (Policy Brief)
A version of this document was submitted to the Standing Committee on Canada’s Health...
Submission to Health Canada consultation to inform proposed new regulations for supervised consumption sites and services
Outlines key considerations to inform proposed new regulations for supervised consumption sites...
Presentation to the Senate Committee on National Finance on Bill C-97, Part 3: Taxation by THC
Presentation by CCSA on the taxation of cannabis to the Senate finance committee. Taxing...
Brief Submitted to the Health Canada Consultation on Regulations for Cannabis Edibles, Extracts and Topicals
Outlines key considerations submitted to the Health Canada consultation on regulations for...
Health Canada Consultation on the Controlled Drugs and Substances Strategy
Presents CCSA’s recommendations for Health Canada’s Controlled Drugs and Substance Strategy....
Presentation on the Impacts of Methamphetamine Use in Canada to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health
Summarizes the impacts of methamphetamine use in Canada, as presented to the House of Commons...
Presentation on pre-mixed drinks combining high alcohol, caffeine and sugar content to House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Health
This memorandum covers CCSA’s recommendation that access to highly sweetened alcoholic...
Presentation to the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Study of Bill C-45, Canadian Cannabis Act
Speaking notes for the presentation by Rebecca Jesseman, Canadian Centre on Substance Use and...
Presentation to the Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, Study of Bill C-45, Canadian Cannabis Act
Speaking notes for the presentation by Dr. Amy Porath, Canadian Centre on Substance Use and...
Brief Submitted to the Health Canada Consultation on the Potential Market for Cannabis Health Products that Would Not Require Practitioner Oversight
Outlines key considerations for cannabis health products. The brief argues that a public health...
Additional Briefs and Analyses
Maintaining Public Health and Safety in Cannabis Regulation: A Response to Potential Amendments to the Cannabis Regulations
Submission for the Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the 2022–2023 Federal Budget
Submitted to the Standing Committee on Finance October 2022.
Details a request for...
Federal Budget 2019: Highlights
Highlights aspects of the Government of Canada’s Budget 2019 that are relevant to CCSA and its stakeholders, including enhancing the federal response to the opioid crisis,...
