May 4, 2026 Minute Human Services Committee

STANDING COMMITTEE ON

HUMAN SERVICES

Monday, May 4, 2026

MINUTE NO. 17

3:31 p.m. — māmawapiwin náyati room (Room 8)

1. Present: Travis Keisig in the chair and members Terri Bromm, David Chan, Meara Conway,* Barret Kropf, Betty Nippi-Albright,* Megan Patterson,* and Nicole Sarauer.*

Substituting Members

Meara Conway for April ChiefCalf

Betty Nippi-Albright for Noor Burki

Megan Patterson for Terri Bromm (5:20 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.)

Megan Patterson for David Chan (8:53 p.m. – 9:39 p.m.)

Nicole Sarauer for Brent Blakley

2. The following document was tabled:

Ministry of Health: Responses to questions raised at the April 1, 2026 meeting

(HUS 10-30)

3. The committee considered Bill No. 48, The Compassionate Intervention Act.

The following ministers and officials appeared before the committee and answered questions:

Witnesses

Ministry of Health

Hon. Lori Carr, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill, Minister of Health

Tracey Smith, Deputy Minister

James Turner, Assistant Deputy Minister

Jamie Ash, Executive Director, Mental Health and Addictions

Ministry of Justice and Attorney General

Hon. Tim McLeod, Minister

Mariel Wellsch, Legal Executive Director, Strategic Policy, Planning and Reporting

Kara Moen, Crown Counsel, Legislative Services

4. The question being put on clause 1-1, it was agreed to.

5. During consideration of clause 1-2, it was moved by Betty Nippi-Albright:

Amend Clause 1-2 of the printed Bill by adding the following subsections after subsection (3):

“(4) This Act is not intended to reduce access to addictions treatment services to person who seek addictions treatment services voluntarily, and no person seeking access to addictions treatment services voluntarily shall have their access to addictions treatment services reduced in order to provide treatment under this Act to a person described in subsection (2).

(5) No person shall take any action under this Act without first making a determination that it would not be in the public interest to proceed under The Mental Health Services Act”.

The question being put on the amendment, the Chair exercised a vote pursuant to rule 151(2) and the question was defeated.

The question being put on clause 1-2, it was agreed to.

6. During consideration of clause 1-3, it was moved by Barret Kropf:

Amend Clause 1-3 of the printed Bill:

(a) by adding the following definition in alphabetical order:

“ ‘intervention counsel’ means the lawyer appointed to present evidence on behalf of the following at any proceeding or matter pursuant to this Act:

(a) an assessment team;

(b) an officer in charge;

(c) an addiction treatment professional in charge of a patient’s treatment pursuant to an out-patient recovery order”; and

(b) by striking out the definition of “registrar counsel”.

The question being put on the amendment, the Chair exercised a vote pursuant to rule 151(2) and the question was agreed to.

It was moved by Betty Nippi-Albright:

Amend Clause 1-3 of the printed Bill:

(a) by striking out the definition of “substance use disorder” and adding the following definition in alphabetical order:

“ ‘substance use disorder’ means a problematic pattern of using alcohol or another substance that leads to clinically significant impairment or distress”.

The question being put on the amendment, the Chair exercised a vote pursuant to rule 151(2) and the question was defeated.

The question being put on clause 1-3 as amended, it was agreed to.

7. The questions being put on clauses 1-4 and 1-5, they were agreed to.

8. During consideration of clause 1-6, it was moved by Betty Nippi-Albright:

Amend Clause 1-6 of the printed Bill by:

(a) striking out the period after paragraph 1-6(2)(d) and substituting a semi-colon; and

(b) inserting the following after paragraph 1-6(2)(d):

“(e) whether the person has a history of impaired driving;

(f) whether the person has a history of domestic violence”.

The question being put on the amendment, the Chair exercised a vote pursuant to rule 151(2) and the question was defeated.

The question being put on clause 1-6, it was agreed to.

9. The questions being put on clauses 1-7 to 2-5, they were agreed to.

10. During consideration of clause 2-6, it was moved by Barret Kropf:

Amend Clause 2-6 of the printed Bill:

(a) in subsection (1) by striking out “registrar counsel” and substituting “intervention counsel”; and

(b) in subsection (5) by striking out “registrar counsel” and substituting “intervention counsel”.

The question being put on the amendment, it was agreed to.

The question being put on clause 2-6 as amended, it was agreed to.

11. The question being put on clause 3-1, it was agreed to.

12. During consideration of clause 3-2, it was moved by Betty Nippi-Albright:

Amend Clause 3-2 of the printed Bill:

(a) by striking out the word “and” after clause 3-2(2)(b);

(b) by striking out the period after clause 3-2(2)(c) and substituting a semi-colon;

(c) by adding the word “and”, and the following clause after clause 3-2(2)(c):

“(d) where a patient is a person of Indigenous ancestry, at least one member who is a person of Indigenous ancestry”.

(d) by striking out subsection (4) and substituting the following:

“(4) A unanimous decision, action or order of the members of a hearing panel is a decision, action or order of the board”.

The question being put on the amendment, the Chair exercised a vote pursuant to rule 151(2) and the question was defeated.

The question being put on clause 3-2, it was agreed to.

13. During consideration of clause 3-3, it was moved by Betty Nippi-Albright:

Amend Clause 3-3 of the printed Bill by:

(a) by striking out the word “and” after clause 3-3(2)(b);

(b) by striking out the period after clause 3-3(2)(c) and substituting a semi-colon.

(c) by adding the word “and”, and the following clause after clause 3-3(2)(c):

“(d) where a patient is a person of Indigenous ancestry, at least one member who is a person of Indigenous ancestry”.

(d) by striking out subsection (6) and substituting the following:

“(6) A unanimous decision, action or order of the members of a review panel is a decision, action or order of the board”.

The question being put on the amendment, the Chair exercised a vote pursuant to rule 151(2) and the question was defeated.

The question being put on clause 3-3, it was agreed to.

14. The questions being put on clauses 3-4 to 4-1, they were agreed to.

15. During consideration of clause 4-2, it was moved by Betty Nippi-Albright:

Amend Clause 4-2 of the printed Bill:

(a) in subsection (1) in the portion preceding clause (a) by striking out “prescribed medical professional” wherever it appears and in each case substituting “physician”;

(b) in clause (b) by striking out “professional” and substituting “physician”;

(c) in subsection (2) by striking out “prescribed medical professional” wherever it appears and in each case substituting “physician”;

(d) in subsection (4) by striking out “professional” and substituting “physician”;

(e) in subsection (5) by striking out “professional” and substituting “physician”; and

(f) in subsection (6) by striking out “professional” and substituting “physician”.

The question being put on the amendment, the Chair exercised a vote pursuant to rule 151(2) and the question was defeated.

The question being put on clause 4-2, it was agreed to.

16. The questions being put on clauses 4-3 to 4-5, they were agreed to.

17. The question being put on clause 4-6, it was defeated.

18. During consideration of clause 4-7, it was moved by Barret Kropf:

Amend Clause 4-7 of the printed Bill in subclause (d)(i) by striking out “or 4-6(2)”.

The question being put on the amendment, it was agreed to.

The question being put on clause 4-7 as amended, it was agreed to.

19. During consideration of clause 5-1, it was moved by Barret Kropf:

Amend Clause 5-1 of the printed Bill:

(a) in subsection (1) in the portion preceding clause (a) by striking out “registrar” wherever it appears and in each case substituting “intervention counsel”; and

(b) by striking out subsection (3) and substituting the following:

“(3) Before the hearing panel conducts the assessment hearing, the intervention counsel must provide to the patient all records requested and received by the intervention counsel pursuant to subsection (1)”.

The question being put on the amendment, it was agreed to.

The question being put on clause 5-1 as amended, it was agreed to.

20. During consideration of clause 5-2, it was moved by Barret Kropf:

Amend Clause 5-2 of the printed Bill by striking out “registrar” and substituting “intervention counsel” in the following provisions:

(a) subsection (1);

(b) clauses (5)(a) and (b);

The question being put on the amendment, it was agreed to.

The question being put on clause 5-2 as amended, it was agreed to.

21. The questions being put on clauses 5-3 and 5-4, they were agreed to.

22. During consideration of clause 6-1, it was moved by Betty Nippi-Albright:

Amend subsection 6-1(1) of the printed Bill by striking out “on a balance of probabilities” and substituting “beyond a reasonable doubt”.

The question being put on the amendment, the Chair exercised a vote pursuant to rule 151(2) and the question was defeated.

It was moved by Barret Kropf:

Amend Clause 6-1 of the printed Bill by striking out subclause (1)(a)(iii) and substituting the following:

“(iii) lacks capacity”.

The question being put on the amendment, it was agreed to.

The question being put on clause 6-1 as amended, it was agreed to.

23. During consideration of clause 6-2, it was moved by Betty Nippi-Albright:

Amend Clause 6-2 of the printed Bill by striking out clause 6-2(2)(b).

The question being put on the amendment, the Chair exercised a vote pursuant to rule 151(2) and the question was defeated.

The question being put on clause 6-2, it was agreed to.

24. During consideration of clause 6-3, it was moved by Barret Kropf:

Amend Clause 6-3 of the printed Bill:

(a) in subsection (1):

(i) in the portion preceding clause (a) by striking out “registrar” and substituting “intervention counsel”; and

(ii) by striking out clause (b) and substituting the following:

“(b) as a result of the severe substance use disorder, the patient lacks capacity”; and

(b) by striking out subsection (4) and substituting the following:

“(4) The intervention counsel must serve a copy of any order issued pursuant to this section on the patient”.

The question being put on the amendment, it was agreed to.

The question being put on clause 6-3 as amended, it was agreed to.

25. During consideration of clause 6-4, it was moved by Barret Kropf:

Amend Clause 6-4 of the printed Bill:

(a) in clause (1)(b) by striking out “registrar” and substituting “intervention counsel”; and

(b) by striking out subsection (5) and substituting the following:

“(5) The intervention counsel must serve a copy of any order issued pursuant to this section on the patient”.

The question being put on the amendment, it was agreed to.

The question being put on clause 6-4 as amended, it was agreed to.

26. The questions being put on clauses 6-5 to 6-7, they were agreed to.

27. During consideration of clause 6-8, it was moved by Betty Nippi-Albright:

Amend Clause 6-8 of the printed Bill:

(a) by striking out, in subsection (1), “on a balance of probabilities” and substituting “beyond a reasonable doubt”;

(b) by adding the following subclause after subclause 6-8(2)(b)(v):

“(vi) provisions recommending that the patient attend cultural programming relevant to the patient’s Indigenous heritage, where applicable”; and

The question being put on the amendment, the Chair exercised a vote pursuant to rule 151(2) and the question was defeated.

It was moved by Barret Kropf:

Amend Clause 6-8 of the printed Bill by striking out subclause (1)(a)(iii) and substituting the following:

“(iii) lacks capacity”.

The question being put on the amendment, it was agreed to.

The question being put on clause 6-8 as amended, it was agreed to.

28. During consideration of clause 6-9, it was moved by Barret Kropf:

Amend Clause 6-9 of the printed Bill in subsection (1) by striking out “registrar” and substituting “intervention counsel”.

The question being put on the amendment, it was agreed to.

The question being put on clause 6-9 as amended, it was agreed to.

29. The questions being put on clauses 6-10 and 6-11, they were agreed to.

30. During consideration of clause 7-1, it was moved by Barret Kropf:

Amend Clause 7-1 of the printed Bill:

(a) by striking out clause (1)(b) and substituting the following:

“(b) the intervention counsel, on the recommendation of:

(i) if the patient is subject to an in-patient recovery order, the officer in charge of the compassionate intervention treatment centre; or

(ii) if the patient is subject to an out-patient recovery order, the addiction treatment professional in charge of the patient’s treatment pursuant to the recovery order”; and

(b) by striking out clause (1)(c).

The question being put on the amendment, it was agreed to.

It was moved by Betty Nippi-Albright:

Amend Clause 7-1 of the printed Bill by inserting the words “more than once per recovery order” in subclause (2) before the words “unless a new recovery order has been issued”.

The question being put on the amendment, the Chair exercised a vote pursuant to rule 151(2) and the question was defeated.

The question being put on clause 7-1 as amended, it was agreed to.

31. The question being put on clause 7-2, it was agreed to.

32. During consideration of clause 7-3, it was moved by Barret Kropf:

Amend Clause 7-3 of the printed Bill by striking out “registrar” and substituting “intervention counsel” in the following provisions:

(a) subsection (1);

(b) clauses (5)(a) and (b);

The question being put on the amendment, it was agreed to.

The question being put on clause 7-3 as amended, it was agreed to.

33. The question being put on clause 7-4, it was agreed to.

34. During consideration of clause 7-5, it was moved by Betty Nippi-Albright:

Amend Clause 7-5 of the printed Bill:

(a) by striking out “on a balance of probabilities” and substituting “beyond a reasonable doubt” in subclause 7-5(2); and

(b) by striking out “on a balance of probabilities” and substituting “beyond a reasonable doubt” in subclause 7-5(3).

The question being put on the amendment, the Chair exercised a vote pursuant to rule 151(2) and the question was defeated.

The question being put on clause 7-5, it was agreed to.

35. The question being put on clause 7-6, it was agreed to.

36. During consideration of clause 8-1, it was moved by Barret Kropf:

Amend Clause 8-1 of the printed Bill in subsection (1) in the portion preceding clause (a) by striking out “the registrar” and substituting “an intervention counsel”.

The question being put on the amendment, it was agreed to.

The question being put on clause 8-1 as amended, it was agreed to.

37. The question being put on clause 8-2, it was agreed to.

38. During consideration of clause 8-3, it was moved by Betty Nippi-Albright:

Add the following subsection after after subsection 8-3(2) of the printed Bill:

“(2.1) An addictions treatment professional who makes a determination that a patient lacks capacity pursuant to this section shall reassess that determination at least every two hours while the patient is under their care”.

The question being put on the amendment, the Chair exercised a vote pursuant to rule 151(2) and the question was defeated.

The question being put on clause 8-3, it was agreed to.

39. The questions being put on clause 8-4 and 8-5, they were agreed to.

40. During consideration of clause 8-6, it was moved by Betty Nippi-Albright:

Amend subclause 8-6(1) of the printed Bill by striking out “may, at the registrar’s discretion or at the patient’s request,” and substituting “shall”.

The question being put on the amendment, the Chair exercised a vote pursuant to rule 151(2) and the question was defeated.

The question being put on clause 8-6, it was agreed to.

41. The question being put on clause 8-7, it was agreed to.

42. During consideration of clause 8-8, it was moved by Betty Nippi-Albright:

Amend Clause 8-8 of the printed Bill

(a) by striking out “and” after paragraph 8-8(2)(a); and

(b) adding the following paragraph after paragraph 8-8(2)(b) of the printed Bill:

“(c) no less than once in a twelve-month period”.

The question being put on the amendment, the Chair exercised a vote pursuant to rule 151(2) and the question was defeated.

The question being put on clause 8-8, it was agreed to.

43. During consideration of clause 8-9, it was moved by Barret Kropf:

Amend Clause 8-9 of the printed Bill by striking out clauses (p) to (ff) and substituting the following:

“(p) for the purposes of subclause 4-7(d)(iv), prescribing any other events;

“(q) respecting the production of records pursuant to section 5-1;

“(r) respecting assessment hearings and review hearings, including adjournments;

“(s) respecting the issuance, variation, renewal, expiration, termination and review of recovery orders;

“(t) respecting the provision of addiction treatment services pursuant to a recovery order;

“(u) prescribing the requirements for any notice that is to be given pursuant to the Act;

“(v) prescribing the manner of service of documents;

“(w) for the purposes of section 6-6, respecting the transfer of patients;

“(x) for the purposes of subsection 6-8(2):

(i) prescribing any other persons or category of persons to whom a patient who is subject to an out-patient recovery order must report; and

(ii) prescribing any other provisions that may be included in an out-patient recovery order;

“(y) respecting appeals to the court pursuant to section 7-6, including prescribing the types of orders of the board that may not be appealed to the court;

“(z) for the purposes of clause 8-3(4)(f), respecting applications to be designated as a family member of a patient;

“(aa) respecting the disclosure of information pursuant to section 8-4;

“(bb) for the purposes of section 8-7, respecting the temporary removal of a patient from a compassionate intervention assessment centre or compassionate intervention treatment centre;

“(cc) for the purposes of section 8-8, respecting the inspection powers of the health director;

“(dd) prescribing any matter or thing required or authorized by this Act to be prescribed in the regulations;

“(ee) respecting any other matter or thing that the Lieutenant Governor in Council considers necessary to carry out the intent of this Act”.

The question being put on the amendment, it was agreed to.

The question being put on clause 8-9 as amended, it was agreed to.

44. The questions being put on clauses 9-1 to 10-1, they were agreed to.

45. It was moved by Betty Nippi-Albright:

Add the following Clause before existing Clause 4-1 of the printed Bill:

“Full medical evaluation required prior to assessment

4-1 Notwithstanding anything in this Part, a person conveyed to a compassionate intervention assessment centre pursuant to Act must receive a medical evaluation by a physician prior to addiction assessment”.

The question being put on new clause 4-1, the Chair exercised a vote pursuant to rule 151(2) and the question was defeated.

46. It was moved by Betty Nippi-Albright:

Add the following Clause after Clause 4-2 of the printed Bill:

“Voluntary referral for assessment

4-3 Subject to the regulations and to the availability of services, a person may, on his or her own request:

(a) receive assessment and treatment services;

(b) with the advice and on the arrangements of a physician with admitting privileges to a compassionate intervention assessment centre, be admitted to a compassionate intervention assessment centre; or

The question being put on new clause 4-2, the Chair exercised a vote pursuant to rule 151(2) and the question was defeated.

47. It was moved by Barret Kropf:

Add the following Clause after Clause 4-5 of the printed Bill”

“Registrar to set assessment hearing date

4-6 If the registrar is notified pursuant to subsection 4-5(2) that the assessment team has recommended a patient for an assessment hearing to determine if the patient should be subject to a recovery order, the registrar must:

(a) set a date and time for the patient's assessment hearing, which hearing must occur within 72 hours after the registrar is notified pursuant to subsection 4-5(2);

(b) assign a patient counsel to represent the patient at the assessment hearing and at any related hearings and reviews respecting the patient, unless the patient has chosen to privately retain a lawyer;

(d) notify the patient of the date and time of the assessment hearing; and

(e) provide a copy of the records mentioned in clause 4-5(6)(b) to:

(i) the patient; and

(ii) the hearing panel”.

The question being put on new clause 4-6, it was agreed to.

48. It was moved by Betty Nippi-Albright:

Add the following Clause after Clause 8-8 of the printed Bill:

“Public reporting requirements

8-9 The minister, in accordance with this section, shall make information available to the public through a website or other electronic means regarding each of the following every month:

(a) the total number of persons assessed at compassionate intervention assessment centres;

(b) the total number of in-patient recovery orders, long term in-patient recovery orders, and out-patient recovery orders issued;

(c) the total number of persons subject to an in-patient recovery order, long term in-patient recovery order, or out-patient recovery order;

(d) the total number of Indigenous persons subject to an in-patient recovery order, long term in-patient recovery order, or out-patient recovery order;

(e) the total number of review panel hearings held;

(f) the total number of discharge orders issued by the review panel;

(g) the total number of recovery orders affirmed, varied, or renewed by the review panel; and

(h) the results of facility inspections pursuant to 8-8”.

The question being put on new clause 8-8, the Chair exercised a vote pursuant to rule 151(2) and the question was defeated.

49. It was moved by Barret Kropf:

That the committee report Bill No. 48, The Compassionate Intervention Act with amendment.

The question being put, it was agreed to.

50. The committee recessed from 8:23 p.m. until 8:53 p.m.

51. The committee considered Bill No. 55, The Medical Profession Amendment Act, 2026.

The following ministers and officials appeared before the committee and answered questions:

Witnesses

Ministry of Health

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill, Minister of Health

Hon. Lori Carr, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions

Tracey Smith, Deputy Minister

Ingrid Kirby, Assistant Deputy Minister

Tami Denomie, Executive Director, Partnerships, Privacy and Legislative Services

Kim Statler, Executive Director, Medical Services

52. The questions being put on clauses 1 to 16, they were agreed to.

53. It was moved by Terri Bromm:

That the committee report Bill No. 55, The Medical Profession Amendment Act, 2026 without amendment.

The question being put, it was agreed to.

54. It was moved by Megan Patterson:

That this committee do now adjourn.

The question being put, it was agreed to.

55. The committee adjourned at 9:39 p.m. to the call of the Chair.

Travis Keisig, Chair

Nadine Coderre, Committee Clerk

Disclaimer: The electronic versions of the Legislative Assembly’s documents are provided on this site for informational purposes only. The Clerk is responsible for the records of each legislature.