Evidence of meeting #22 for Health in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was consumers.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joy Smith
Monsieur Said, would you like to comment? You're the only one who hasn't spoken.
Tawfik Said Research Officer, Compensation and Policy Analyst, Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
I think that, if it's done really effectively, the increased fines imposed on manufacturers will do a great deal to lighten the workload of our inspectors. It will resolve the inspector shortage problem related to retirements that will be taking place in the coming years. I am entirely in favour of the idea of increasing those fines.
Conservative
Tim Uppal Conservative Edmonton—Sherwood Park, AB
I'm just going to give everybody a chance to speak a little bit about a couple of things.
One, we just spoke about monetary penalties, which make this bill stronger. But I'm also going to mention a few other things that really weren't in the older bill, such as the idea of a mandatory reporting; and a general prohibition, such as exists elsewhere, as in the EU, to deal with unregulated products or hazards. The old bill didn't give the minister the ability to order test results or recalls. And there were no counterfeit provisions in the old bill. As we just said, there are the monetary penalties themselves.
I'll just give you guys a chance to sum this up. Will these things make this bill much stronger than the old one?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joy Smith
Who would like to start with that? Is there anybody on the panel who volunteers?
Ms. Campbell.
Director, Consumers Council of Canada
It is the position of the Consumers Council of Canada that this legislation is very appropriate and does address these concerns.
Chair of the Board, Canadian Toy Association
On behalf of the Canadian Toy Association, we definitely see some improvements. For sure, safety is our first and foremost concern, so anything that can, from our perspective, further prove...whether by providing additional reporting, or whatever those test results need to be. We're very much a self-regulated and highly regulated industry. So if we can show those measures to whoever we need to, we'd certainly be open to that.
Chair, Health and Food Safety Committee, Consumers Council of Canada
Certainly the Consumers Council of Canada would support it. By giving more power to the government and to the governing of this act, it may also weed out some of the frequent offenders. I think that definitely works for the consumers, and also for the honest companies. I think most companies are honest and want to satisfy the consumer; they don't want to dissatisfy the consumer, or they are not going to be around for long. So most of them are honest and try to do a good job. Sometimes I think they can be damaged by the fly-by-night or the less responsible companies. That might weed them out.
Chair of the Board, Canadian Toy Association
The only other comment I would make is that ultimately this is going to be guiding us for a long time. I think I mentioned this in my opening remarks as well: this is going to be the future. Certainly we just want to make sure that the committee takes its time to look at and review the bill and to be sure of the details in regard to any unintended consequences. Again, you can't go back; you can only move forward. So from our perspective, we just want to see that happen as well.
Head, Research and Representation Department, Option consommateurs
We believe that Bill C-6 currently under review goes a long way toward addressing the concerns of Canadian consumers. However, I cannot pass over in silence the disappearance of section 18, which we would like to see reinstated. We believe that communications intended for consumers must be a priority for the government.
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joy Smith
Okay.
Are the witnesses all finished with Mr. Uppal's questions? Are there any more comments from the witnesses?
I would like to thank the witnesses very, very much for coming today.
I'm going to make sure we get through just one more thing, and that's committee business, so I'm going to suspend the committee.
I want to tell you this has been a very interesting afternoon, and I want to thank you so much.
Ms. Reed, you're just charming.
[Proceedings continue in camera]