Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Several health specialists have presented observations and recommendations about Canada's Food Guide. We asked three or four people who are acting in an advisory capacity about it. The problem is that they have serious conflicts of interest because they are part of the industry.
Earlier, the Minister of Health was asked about the independence of a number of people who make decisions and who have an influence on the decisions made by ministers. We are in the same situation.
I would like us to have the initial 2006 preliminary version, as well as the 2007 version. I received another e-mail from some doctors telling me that the direction taken with respect to other foods goes beyond the question of calories. Other matters that were submitted to us would tend to indicate that there are concerns about Canada's Food Guide.
Generally speaking, does the guide meet people's expectations in terms of advice to combat obesity?
On the contrary, it would demonstrate transparency. You suggest leaving it to the experts, but if I were to leave it to people who are part of the industry, it's not the same thing. Those who have come to tell us these things are not just anyone: they are Dr. Freedhoff and Mr. Bill Jeffery. I respect the expertise of these doctors. In any event, we would like to be ready for the publication of the guide.
Ms. Bush, whose tenacity I respect, has led us astray. These two doctors tried to exert a degree of pressure in an attempt to influence the direction taken by the guide. She said that we could not make any changes to the guide. And yet, she told the committee at the outset that we could still make recommendations. Now we find out that the process is over, because that is what she told a number of witnesses.
This is worrisome. When Canada's Food Guide is published, I would like to be able to analyze the process and ask for some advice, as was mentioned by Mr. Fletcher, the minister's parliamentary secretary. It is understandable that he should want to reassure his minister, but we as a committee have some monitoring work to do. We need to be confident that the decisions being made are as well-informed as we are being told.