I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 36 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health.
I would like to remind participants of the following points. Please wait until I recognize you by name before you speak. For members in the room, if you wish to speak, please raise your hand. As a reminder, all comments should be addressed through the chair. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order as best we can. We appreciate your patience and understanding in this regard.
On behalf of the committee, I would like to welcome the honourable witnesses. I have one request of you. If you can, keep an eye on the honourable member asking the question. If the honourable member raises their hand, I would like you to stop and give the floor to the honourable member. Cross-talking is very hard on the interpreters and also on the other participants. If you can maintain that decorum, please, we should be fine.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the House on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, the committee shall commence its study of Bill C-224, an act to amend the Food and Drugs Act regarding natural health products.
I would now like to welcome our witnesses for the first hour.
From the Canadian Health Food Association, we have Ms. Sonia Parmar, vice-president, government relations and regulatory affairs; and Ms. Laura Gomez, lawyer and legal counsel.
From Food, Health and Consumer Products of Canada, we have Ms. Roberta Kramchynsky, vice-president of consumer health products and regulatory affairs.
From the Natural Health Product Protection Association, we have Shawn Buckley, president.
Welcome to all. I would like to remind witnesses that committee members may ask questions in either French or English. If you require interpretation, please take a moment now to prepare your earpiece and select the channel that you need.
Each organization has five minutes for opening remarks.
I will give the floor to Ms. Sonia Parmar for five minutes.
Please go ahead.