International Trade Committee on Oct. 31st, 2023

[Tony Baldinelli, Conservative, Niagara Falls, ON]

Those will be based on that.

One year from the date of posting is when the regulations come into effect. Is that enough time for Canadian manufacturers to meet the regulations?

[Dr. Celia Lourenco]

One year after posting, they would come into effect, but then there would be a transition period. We are looking at a transition period of four years for existing disinfectants and surface sanitizers and a bit more time—six years—for products that are used in food establishments.

[Tony Baldinelli, Conservative, Niagara Falls, ON]

Finally, have the consultations ceased? Have you finished all of your consultations, or are they continuing?

[Dr. Celia Lourenco]

We carried out the CG I consultation process. We continued to have consultations up until very recently, and we continue to be open to receiving additional feedback as we work towards the CG II publication.

[Tony Baldinelli, Conservative, Niagara Falls, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Thank you, Mr. Baldinelli.

We go now to Mr. Arya. Go ahead, please.

[Chandra Arya, Liberal, Nepean, ON]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Several times you mentioned that you trust and work closely with the United States Environmental Protection Agency. How much trust did you have with the EPA under the four years of President Trump?

[David Lee]

I'm actually not aware of that. I know that as regulators, we talk about the scientific standards—

[Chandra Arya, Liberal, Nepean, ON]

I understand that. Let me come to that.

Based on the study research done by Harvard Law School and Columbia Law School, the New York Times did a thorough analysis and came out with a list of 100 environmental rules that were revised, removed or reversed. Specifically, let me say the Trump administration repealed a clean water rule and rewrote EPA's pollution control policies. When we have a foreign government agency that has done that over a period of four years, I'm a bit concerned that you 100% trust the same agency.

[David Lee]

To our knowledge, there was no effect on the disinfectant and sanitizer side. We detected no change in the standard. They still had the same standards and performed the same science we would be relying on.

It's worth saying that when COVID came along, we had to work very closely together, and it's probably a very good thing for product safety regulators to be that co-operative. It really did bring together a lot of scientific evidence.

[Chandra Arya, Liberal, Nepean, ON]

Thank you.

You did the consultation. How many people participated in the consultation process?

[Dr. Celia Lourenco]

I'm looking through my notes to see if I have the data. I'll have to come back to that. I'll have to check my notes.

[Chandra Arya, Liberal, Nepean, ON]

What would it be approximately—300, 500 or 1,000?

[Dr. Celia Lourenco]

Well, several associations provided comments. We received comments from definitely a number of different associations. It was quite robust.

[Chandra Arya, Liberal, Nepean, ON]

Was it 100 or 200?

[Dr. Celia Lourenco]

I don't have the—

[Chandra Arya, Liberal, Nepean, ON]

That's okay.

What percentage of those responses were from domestic manufacturers?

[Dr. Celia Lourenco]

We had a lot of input from domestic manufacturers from different provinces in the country. We definitely had robust input from different manufacturers.

[Chandra Arya, Liberal, Nepean, ON]

But you don't have the percentage of the responses that were from domestic manufacturers.

[Dr. Celia Lourenco]

In terms of the responses, I don't have the percentage from domestic manufacturers.

[Chandra Arya, Liberal, Nepean, ON]

That's interesting. For me, the regulations you have are generating reasons to do that. It appears that more has been done to ease imports into Canada rather than to promote domestic manufacturing.

Is that so?

[David Lee]

The use of the foreign decisions pathway is one pathway. Really, the whole regime is meant to be tailored to these products. For many years, they've been regulated as drugs, which was not suitable, so there are efficiencies—

[Chandra Arya, Liberal, Nepean, ON]

I apologize. I have limited time. I have one minute left.

What is the size of the biocides market in Canada? How much of it is bought from Canadian domestic manufacturers, and how much through importation?

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Perhaps the witness could possibly get that information to the committee following today's meeting.

[Dr. Celia Lourenco]

I can answer the question, Madam Chair.