I'll speak to the first motion.
There have been numerous long-term, evidenced-based, scientific studies on the safety and effectiveness of silicone gel breast implants. These have been considered, along with conclusions arrived at in the study of Drs. Guidon and Tweed and the opinions contained in the document Decisions in the Dark, by Health Canada during the review process. In addition, Health Canada is aware of the unsubstantiated claims of fraud made in the media by the former Mentor employee. This employee has subsequently pleaded guilty to charges of theft from the company. None of the information presented is new to Health Canada. All these studies have been reviewed during extensive evidence-based pre-market evaluation of safety and effectiveness evidence available for these medical devices.
When Health Canada has received an application for licence of a medical device, the department is required by law to review and make determinations with respect to the application. Given the extensive data and evidence gathered by Health Canada in the context of licensing applications for silicone gel-filled breast implants, there is no need to postpone the decision-making process. Therefore, I suggest to the committee that we vote no.