I do not understand why the members cannot see the importance of having more information about the Canada Food Guide that is about to be published. A lot of money has been spent on this. It took 14 years to rewrite the Food Guide. Will this take another 14 years? We all know how much influence a food guide can have, and we know that obesity causes a lot of deaths. The Food Guide seems inappropriate. There are obesity specialists here in Ottawa and even in the United States who have expressed major concerns about the Food Guide.
I recently received some information and the release of the Food Guide adds to my concern. I think that we have a responsibility as a committee. We are studying obesity, yet we are allowing the publication of a guide that might not be realistic given the current situation and given everything the supermarkets are selling.
Take the consumption of dairy products, for example. Mr. Chair, I do not know if you considered what Dr. Freedhoff sent us. I questioned Mary Bush, the director general, several times, and I was surprised at her answers. She seemed to dodge the tough questions. She was very good at it. I realize this is her baby, but I think that baby will get a bit too big if it follows the Food Guide she is recommending.