Mr. Chair, this is intended as a new subclause. At page 97, this is adding subsection (2.1) to guide the determination of when products are hazardous for “use, handling or storage in a work place in Canada”. This is the application of something that Canada has been committed to, at least historically, since 1992, called the precautionary principle.
The designation of “hazardous product” would take into account that in cases of scientific uncertainty, where there is substantial evidence of harm, that the latest science would be considered. When you have substantial evidence of harm—I need to make that clear—for the precautionary principle, it's not just anything but a substantial evidence of harm. Even if there's some level of scientific uncertainty, you exercise the precautionary principle in order to designate that substance as hazardous.
Again, I appreciate that Mr. Cullen made the point that this wasn't studied in committee. It may be that the WHMIS program feels that it's already fully engaged in the precautionary principle, but I didn't find it in the act.
Thank you.