Thank you, Mr. Chair.
There's been a little ambiguity, this morning, about stakeholders out in Canada's ecosystem who would like to speak to this bill. It's also incumbent on us to be specific for the people who may be listening and interested in who, out there, has concerns about this bill. It will come as no surprise to anybody that it's the same group of people who opposed it before: the Canadian Beverage Association and people who have a vested interest in the advertising dollars behind the very profitable nature of encouraging children to drink very sugary beverages and eat snacks that are unhealthy.
We're faced with a quandary, here. Who are we here to stand up for? This is the health committee. What is our obligation, as members of the health committee? The obligation of the health committee is to stand up for kids and step forward to make sure.... This bill has been presented in the past. We heard from those organizations and recognize those companies have a vested interest and a very financial rationale for wanting to continue to market sugary drinks and unhealthy snacks to kids. Over the last couple of months, we've also heard from children's health advocates about the very significant impact those products have on children's health.
I'm of the opinion that we need to move forward. Frankly, we need to move quickly. We've heard from the organizations with concerns. Just because I wasn't elected prior to 2019, it doesn't mean that information is not available to me. It is, and quite thoroughly. I've had a look at some of those conversations. From my perspective—and I think my colleagues on this side would agree—I'm good to move forward. The reports are there. The former HESA studies were done. The opposition this bill encountered in the Senate a couple of years ago was very unfortunate. It really delayed progress on Canada's becoming a healthier country.
I'm not willing to debate this any further. It's already been too long. I know who I'm here for.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.