Health committee  Thank you, Madam Chair, for the opportunity to perhaps clarify those provisions further. Let me begin with clause 15, which deals, obviously, solely with personal information. Clause 15 will basically allow the minister to share information with other persons or governments involved in the types of activities we at Health Canada are involved in to protect the health and safety of Canadians.

Health committee  In regard to the one item relating to tobacco and tobacco products that is covered in the statute, and this is in subclause 4(2), which discusses the ignition propensity, I just wanted you to perhaps clarify that. The Tobacco Act covers items relating to health, and it was in fact the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations that has requested that the department look at and deal with the safety aspects relating to tobacco and tobacco products.

Health committee  The only thing that I could add is that we continue internationally to develop standards that in fact will better support industry in providing them with guidance and practical tools to do the sorts of assessments right across the board in the entire supply chain. One specific standard that comes to mind is a standard being developed with over 23 countries involved--and Canada is one of them leading the pack--which is an ISO standard, the International Organization for Standardization.

Health committee  The only other point I'd like to add is that the orders that could be issued for corrective action could also include specific instructions on the types of documentation and information that needs to be provided to Health Canada to do exactly what you're suggesting, which is the effectiveness of the recall.

Health committee  The provisions in clause 17 are for serious and imminent danger, and in those cases we are not required to have confidentiality agreements in place. Those would be situations in which we feel there is obviously something of grave concern that we want to share, and we are required to provide notice within one business day of the disclosure of that information.

Health committee  Thank you for the question. The provision in the bill that the senator is likely referring to is clause 15, which deals with personal information. The fact is that we do collect some personal information. This provision allows us to share that personal information when we feel it is necessary to do so to deal with a health and safety issue.

Health committee  Perhaps I can help clarify this issue. Schedule 2 lists prohibited items. We will continue to add substances to that list. In addition to those prohibitions and in addition to the regulations that exist, the general prohibition is always there as that safety net and catch-all to deal with the dangers and the hazards that you're talking about.

Health committee  Madam Chair, this provision is related to the administrative and monetary penalties system. In a situation in which an inspector has determined that corrective action is required, an order would be issued for corrective action to be taken. In the event that the action isn't taken, they are subject to an administrative and monetary penalty.

Health committee  I may add a couple of key points. To date we really haven't heard from any of the provinces or territories outlining any concerns and issues they have with the bill. I think it is also important to underline that one key aspect or one key action is covered solely under federal jurisdiction, and that is importation.

Health committee  We definitely meet with the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs very regularly. Our area of the department has had a very collaborative and great working relationship with the fire chiefs for a number of years. We meet with them at least once a year when they come for the government relations week and on an ongoing basis on some of our initiatives.

Health committee  There are a variety of international standards bodies. There are also domestic standards bodies. For example, we will reference through incorporation into a variety of our regulations, be it Canadian Standards Association regulations...for example, every hockey helmet that is sold in Canada has to meet a CSA standard.

Health committee  Just to be clear, the current requirements under the Hazardous Products Act are specifically for hockey helmets. The private member's bill that Hedy Fry put forward speaks to a CSA standard that was just recently finalized. In fact it was a standard that Health Canada was on the technical committee to help develop.

Health committee  There are internationally recognized and internationally validated hazard identification and hazard assessment types of methodologies. The European Union, as Mr. Glover has mentioned, already has in place what is referred to as a general product safety directive. They rely on a variety of standards and internationally recognized approaches to identify hazards and mitigate those hazards.

Health committee  Thank you. I can definitely add a few other points. I think it's important to note that the proposed Canada Consumer Products Safety Act and our inspectors' powers, in fact, are in line with many of the powers we already have under the current Hazardous Products Act and in line with many of the modern health and safety federal statutes that exist to protect Canadians.

Health committee  Unless legal has anything to add, I would think it would still be considered a place of business at that point, if it were a registered entity, absolutely. If it were some sort of sole proprietor who, I guess, was running a business out of his home as an individual, then I would think perhaps the other scenario would be the case.