Mr. Speaker, it is with pleasure that I rise in the House today to speak in support of Motion No. 409, a proposal to regulate non-corrective cosmetic or decorative contact lenses as medical devices under the Hazardous Products Act or the Food and Drugs Act.
Over the past several years associations, such as the Canadian Association of Optometrists, have met with the Medical Devices Bureau, Health Products and Food Branch Directorate and also the Product Safety Bureau (Cosmetic Division), Healthy Environment and Consumer Safety Branch.
Health Canada has examined the legislative authority of the Food and Drugs Act and the Hazardous Products Act.
In 2000 it was concluded that non-corrective contact lenses did not clearly fall into the category of a cosmetic product, a medical device or hazardous product and that more scientific evidence was needed.
Therefore, that brings us to this motion. I will not repeat what has already been said. I will just say that I commend the member for bringing forward this motion. I think the fact that it received unanimous consent is an indication of the member's foresight and an example of how this Parliament can work.
Have a good week-end!