Health Committee on Oct. 26th, 2006

[Dr. Arvi Grover]

When you say free fruits and vegetables, does that mean that we've already eliminated from all of the schools all of the candy and pop machines?

The problem is, when you're given a choice, it's like saying this is good for you, take it. You tend to grab things that you desire more, and if the option is still available to these children, by having those machines readily available, they will opt for them, even though the fruits and vegetables are free.

Having said that, of course, it is mainly in the higher socio-economic groups. Those, perhaps, in the lower socio-economic group may be more apt to and, finally, be eating the right types.... I think that's still a good idea, but I think it has to go hand in hand--

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Get the junk food machines out first.

[Dr. Arvi Grover]

Exactly. Yes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

I can actually add a little bit to that, because we tried that out on this committee. We tried to get rid of the cookies. There was a revolt, if the committee remembers. We had to add more than just fruit and vegetables; we had to add the cookies back.

[Dr. Arvi Grover]

So you guys are worse than kids, then.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

Worse than kids, and it's a high socio-economic--

[James Lunney, Conservative, Nanaimo—Alberni, BC]

On a point of order, let the record show that there are also fruit and vegetable sticks over there.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

Yes, but I've noticed the choices, and the cookies may be winning.

But the point is well taken. I guess it does speak to human nature, and all of us have our vices.

I want to thank the panel for coming. Your testimony has been well received and very valuable to the committee. Please accept our thanks for that, and we'll reserve the right to perhaps question you further on some things if we need to in the development of our report.

Thank you very much.

We'll have a very quick pause and then we will get into the motions.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

I'll ask the members to take their seats, and we'll get on with the motions that are before the committee.

There are two motions before the committee. Actually, we have three motions, but two of them are very similar. I know some in the committee said they'd have to slip away a little bit early, so we'll take the two that are similar--that's Ms. Dhalla's and Ms. Gagnon's. I don't know if they've worked out between the two of them if they want to introduce them individually, but let's take the first one.

Ms. Dhalla, if you want to introduce it, we'll go from there.

[Ruby Dhalla, Liberal, Brampton—Springdale, ON]

I guess everyone has had a chance to read the motion. Just very quickly, because I know some people have to leave, it transpired from the fact that we heard contradictory stories from Health Canada and from witnesses.

I don't know if my colleagues have also received an e-mail that I believe was sent by Dr. Freedhoff, but it stated that Mary Bush from Health Canada had stated that Dr. Arya Sharma had provided some advice in terms of the food guide and had made a few points in regard to the guidance on calories. Dr. Sharma says that he did not provide that advice to Mary.

So in terms of ensuring that the food guide is reflective of the needs of Canadians and in terms of the topic our committee is studying, I have issued a motion to ask for the following: a draft copy of Canada's food guide, prior to it being released; a list of the stakeholders and organizations that were consulted and the respective suggestions they put forward; and a list of the questions that were put forward for these consultations.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

Okay, we have a motion on the floor.

Mr. Fletcher.

[Steven Fletcher, Conservative, Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, MB]

Does Ms. Davidson want to go first?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

Ms. Davidson.

[Patricia Davidson, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

I just wanted a point of clarification on what Ms. Dhalla was saying. I didn't catch everything.

I'm sorry, I missed what you were saying in the preamble to your motion.

[Ruby Dhalla, Liberal, Brampton—Springdale, ON]

I thought the mike was on. I had just basically--

[Patricia Davidson, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

It was, but I guess I wasn't paying enough--

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

Was this an e-mail that was sent directly to...?

[Ruby Dhalla, Liberal, Brampton—Springdale, ON]

I believe it was sent to...this is one of the issues of how this motion came to fruition.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

No, but just a technical--

[Ruby Dhalla, Liberal, Brampton—Springdale, ON]

In terms of this particular e-mail?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

Was it sent to the committee, sent out by the committee, or was it sent--

[Ruby Dhalla, Liberal, Brampton—Springdale, ON]

No, it was sent to the committee, I believe. Did other people receive it?

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mrs. Carmen DePape]

It was sent out to members directly by Dr. Freedhoff. I'm having it translated, and as soon as I get it I will send it out to everyone.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

So we don't all have it, is what you're saying.

[Ruby Dhalla, Liberal, Brampton—Springdale, ON]

It was a contradiction between what Mary Bush from Health Canada said versus what the people who were supposed to be doing the advisory on the caloric counting stated.