Natural Resources committee  We are looking at all possible solutions, but one solution might be to place more emphasis on energy efficiency when renting housing. This could be achieved, in our opinion, by attributing energy rating to apartments. There are initiatives that target the owners of income generat

Natural Resources committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. I want to thank members of this committee for inviting us today to present our views on energy efficiency. My name is Charles Tanguay, and I am the communications officer for the Union des consommateurs, a federation of consumers' associations with its hea

Agriculture committee  I agree with my colleagues in saying that this is a good beginning. However, the criteria must be high to make sure we are talking about the same thing.

Agriculture committee  Among the sorry examples of voluntary standards is the one on GMO labelling, which has still not put a single GMO label on Canadian food products. We also think that mandatory standards are more effective and make it possible to balance and level the playing field so that everyon

Agriculture committee  We could have some fun coming up with a label.

Agriculture committee  We could indulge in a bit of irony here because we do not have a proper understanding. In economic terms, maybe that is justified, but in environmental terms, it is absolutely crazy that an animal could be born here in Canada, finished in the U.S., etc. We could invent a label th

Agriculture committee  I do not think that clear, truthful, simple-to-understand information can prevent, as some have said, people who want more, from getting more detailed information. However, the origin of the product seems to me to be essential. It is still relatively simple to share this informat

Agriculture committee  I think that, in concepts where there are increasingly marked differences, food sovereignty is increasingly being distinguished from food safety. Let me explain. In the rules on health safety, we granted a lot of importance to the health safety of food. This very healthy obsessio

Agriculture committee  I'd say the same thing.

Agriculture committee  I don't really know. I do not know. In fact, when we write “Product of Canada,” the percentage should be at least half, probably around 75%. My opinion is as good as anyone else’s on this.

Agriculture committee  I think that many Canadians are prepared to pay a little more. I do not think it costs that much more to write more accurate and more truthful information. The truth does not cost much more than a lie. If it is, consumers are prepared to pay a little more, just as they are prepar

Agriculture committee  I do not know. On first thought, I do not think it is justified to think so. Normally, producers know where their products come from, and I do not see how asking them to write the truth can cost them more. Furthermore, traceability requirements are based on many other reasons, i

Agriculture committee  I am in agreement with the ideas defended by Ms. Hillard. Indeed considerations of the costs of processing the product or packaging should not be taken into account. Emphasis should be rather on what the food consists of, the raw material. I think that we must not limit ourselves

Agriculture committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Lady and gentlemen, thank you for inviting us. My name is Charles Tanguay and I am the Communications Officer for the Union des consommateurs. The Union des consommateurs is a federation of Quebec associations comprising 11 consumers’ associations. My pre