Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the member's interest in promoting infant breast-feeding as the most optimal form of feeding of infants.
At the World Health Assembly in May 1981, Canada and 117 other countries strongly endorsed a code of marketing of breast milk substitution. Canada has implemented the code through collaboration, education and health promotion. Health Canada continues to support this position and has consistently promoted breast-feeding as the optimal form of infant nutrition.
The promotion of breast-feeding is an integral part of several Health Canada programs. These include the postpartum parent support program, a video entitled “Welcome to Parenting”, the “Breastfeeding Promotional Kit”, “Breastfeeding—A Selected Bibliography and Resource Guide” and two widely distributed breast-feeding pamphlets “10 Great Reasons to Breastfeed” and “10 Valuable Tips for Successful Breastfeeding”.
The National Breastfeeding Guidelines for Health Care Providers, 1996, developed by the Canadian Institute for Child Health, has been distributed by Health Canada to each postpartum parental support group.
The international code of marketing of breast milk substitutes has markedly influenced actions to promote breast-feeding in Canada and the results have been positive. When given accurate and reliable information, mothers and health professionals make the correct choices to support appropriate infant nutrition through breast-feeding.
This is an ongoing effort by Health Canada. It is one that we are working co-operatively with all of our partners. We believe that the actions we have taken are resulting in the best approach for achieving widespread breast-feeding for infants in Canada. I applaud the member's efforts in raising this issue. We will continue to support these actions.