Thank you, Madam Chair.
First of all, when I think of prevention, I think about the food we eat. In my opinion, the main problem with food currently, especially where young people are concerned, is the level of sodium contained in food products.
The average amount of salt consumed by the population is 3.4 mg per day. Ideally, according to the recommendations, this should be around 1.5 mg. The maximum level is 2.3 mg; beyond that, there are health risks involved.
Given that the daily consumption average is 3.4 mg, the health of the population is in jeopardy. Indeed, a working group was struck by the federal government precisely to examine that issue. According to the recommendations of this group, the government should impose targets on the food industry. Unfortunately, last month the federal government refused to do so.
My question is addressed to Ms. MacLeod.
Can you attempt to justify that position? It seems to me to be a matter of simple common sense. Mr. Sherman also mentioned the issue of salt. I know that you negotiate with the food industry, but how is it that there are no targets and that the federal government does not want to strengthen targets? This is so important for the Canadian population.