Thank you, Madam Chair.
First of all, I would have liked to put most of my questions to the health minister. Unfortunately, I cannot do that. I do hope that you will be able to provide me with the right answers.
There are two things that really worry me. I'm talking about what has happened at the Department of Health in the past year and the decisions made by the Minister of Health.
First, let's go back to what happened a few weeks ago, or even a few months ago, regarding the Canadian government and the regulation of energy drinks. We know that Health Canada recommends that young people under the age of 18 stay away from energy drinks for a number of reasons. Studies have shown that they adversely affect the health and development of these young people. The drinks can even lead to addiction. Yet, the Minister of Health did not see fit to regulate the sector. She preferred to let young people choose, and leave it up to their parents to educate themselves when deciding whether to buy drinks that stimulate the nervous system.
As an expert, do you still feel that young people under the age of 18 should not consume those products? How can you explain the minister's decision to leave the responsibility for that matter to free enterprise and to trust in people's individual choice? These days, I see that as a problem. In fact, regardless of what type of question we ask the Minister of Health or the government, we are always told that the Department of Health simply lets people choose. The authorities seem convinced that people will make the right decision and that the government need not get involved any further.