Marginal note:Short title

1. This Act may be cited as the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse Act.

Marginal note:Centre established

2. There is hereby established a corporation to be known as the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, in this Act referred to as the “Centre”.

Marginal note:Purpose of the Centre

3. The purpose of the Centre is to promote increased awareness on the part of Canadians of matters relating to alcohol and drug abuse and their increased participation in the reduction of harm associated with such abuse, and to promote the use and effectiveness of programs of excellence that are relevant to alcohol and drug abuse by

• (a) promoting and supporting consultation and co-operation among governments, the business community and labour, professional and voluntary organizations in matters relating to alcohol and drug abuse;

• (b) contributing to the effective exchange of information on alcohol and drug abuse;

• (c) facilitating and contributing to the development and application of knowledge and expertise in the alcohol and drug abuse field;

• (d) promoting and assisting in the development of realistic and effective policies and programs aimed at reducing the harm associated with alcohol and drug abuse; and

• (e) promoting increased awareness among Canadians of the nature and extent of international efforts to reduce alcohol and drug abuse and supporting Canada’s participation in those efforts.

Marginal note:Capacity and powers

4. The Centre has the capacity of a natural person and may do anything conducive to the fulfilment of its purpose and to the exercise of its powers and, without restricting the generality of the foregoing, the Centre may

• (a) review and provide informed comment on policies and programs related to alcohol and drug abuse in consultation with governments, the business community and labour, professional and voluntary organizations;

• (b) facilitate and assist cooperative efforts among governments, the business community and labour, professional and voluntary organizations, in respect of policy and program initiatives in the alcohol and drug abuse field;

• (c) institute and support programs and activities in collaboration with governments, the business community and labour, professional and voluntary organizations;

• (d) initiate, sponsor and support conferences, seminars and meetings, and support and assist those of governments, the business community and labour, professional and voluntary organizations;

• (e) establish, maintain and operate information systems and facilities to encourage and support the exchange of information of all kinds relating to alcohol and drug abuse policies, programs and research and cooperate with operators of existing systems and facilities including governments, educational institutions and libraries;

• (f) initiate, support and publish studies, reports and other documentation promoting the development and exchange of knowledge and expertise;

• (g) institute, support and assist the award of scholarships and fellowships and otherwise support and promote basic and advanced training in matters relating to addictions and such other activities as will contribute to the continued improvement of services in Canada relating to addictions;

• (h) initiate, promote, assist and evaluate research and publish and otherwise disseminate associated findings; and

• (i) acquire any property, money or securities by gift, bequest or otherwise, and hold, expend, invest, administer or dispose of any such property, money or securities subject to the terms, if any, on which such property, money or securities are given, bequeathed or otherwise made available to the Centre.