House of Commons Hansard #77 of the 37th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was registration.

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Adjournment ProceedingsPrivate Members' Business

7:30 p.m.

NDP

Svend Robinson NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC

Mr. Speaker, this is absolutely appalling. This is a shameful betrayal of Canadian citizens and of the rights of Canadians to be protected against this deceitful and false advertising. The government is saying that it needs more time to study. How much more time will pass? How many more lives will be lost while the tobacco industry pushes this dishonest advertising on Canadians? Canadians look to the government to stand up and be counted on this issue.

Just last month the World Health Organization completed negotiations toward a treaty text for a framework convention. The text calls for a ban on misleading terms, which may very well include light and mild. Just this month, as I said before, a U.S. court found Philip Morris in violation of consumer protection laws and said that it showed a reckless disregard for consumers rights.

My question once again is for the parliamentary secretary. Why is the government waiting to take action on this? Is it because of the threats under the NAFTA, chapter 11? Why will it not act now to protect the health of Canadians?

Adjournment ProceedingsPrivate Members' Business

7:30 p.m.

Liberal

Jeannot Castonguay Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB

Mr. Speaker, once again, I would like to summarize this for all Canadians. Regardless of what cigarette packages may say, whether they are labelled “light”, “mild” or “regular”, it is important, once again, to remind Canadians that smoking is bad for their health, period.

Now, before taking more specific measures to decide what packages should say, I think we should take the trouble to figure out what effect certain messages will have.

I know that my colleague is very impatient, but obviously, if he would give us a little more time, we might be able, in the end, to allay his concerns.

However, once again, everyone agrees that smoking is not healthy. That is the message that Health Canada would like to send to Canadians.

Adjournment ProceedingsPrivate Members' Business

7:35 p.m.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bélair)

The motion to adjourn the House is now deemed to have been adopted. Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 2 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 7:35 p.m.)