OTTAWA - The Senate has given approval in principle to the Trudeau government's bill to legalize recreational marijuana.
Bill C-45 passed at second reading this evening by a vote of 44-29.
The approval comes after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reminded the senators that his government was elected on a promise to legalize recreational marijuana.
That was seen as a subtle warning that they should not attempt to thwart the will of Canadians or the government they elected.
The uncertainty was triggered by Conservative senators, who were hoping to deliver a double-barrelled embarrassment to Trudeau: upending one of his signature election promises, while demonstrating the folly of his efforts to reform the Senate into a less partisan, more independent chamber.
Earlier in the day, Trudeau said the criminal cannabis regime has not protected Canadian children, who are among the highest under-age users of marijuana in developed countries, and has put up to $7 billion every year in the pockets of organized crime.