Health committee  Perhaps I can start. Because of the regulatory difference, energy drinks are sold as natural health products. That exempts them from some of the same standards that would otherwise be required through the Food and Drugs Act. As a consequence, there are two issues: they are often mislabelled and can make claims that are not justified, and they're also not required to label some of the nutritional components that they would otherwise have to.

Health committee  I think you're exactly right: we have to inform people. I don't want to use the analogy, but 80% or 90% of this is educating consumers about what is right and what is wrong. The label is about 10%, 15%, or 20% of it; that's my sense. Yes, you can argue about three chips or seven chips and two crackers or four crackers, but you have to know, to begin with, what's good and what's bad.

Health committee  I'm happy to respond. I think literacy is an essential part of that. That's why we need a very simple and easily recognized approach that's standardized so that you can make comparisons. Literacy, cultural perspective, and all of those things are essential components of having an effective system.

Health committee  We need a strong research perspective and we need to have evidence informing the decisions we make. I recognize there's a commercial imperative, but at the same time, when we have a standardized and structured approach to reporting, that has to be based on evidence. You're right that it's very difficult for people to navigate nutritional labelling when they have a unique problem, so if you are a diabetic, yes, you'll be drawn to the calorie count.

Health committee  Thank you very much. I think there are some areas of commonality. First, what we're doing is confusing. I think those of us who have used and looked at these products recognize that we have a very short period of time to make a decision, and the variables that they've put there are confusing, even for us, even without taking into consideration other people who probably don't have the same educational background or literacy, so I think we can all agree that what we've got is not sufficient.

Health committee  I really took to heart that we should highlight some of the nutritional value of what's there and not just the bad things. We would all recognize that some of the foods that we might find in the grocery store might not have very much in the way of nutritional value, so I think I would highlight both, but I do believe that a simple standardized approach that can be easily seen and recognized--once we get used to that system--by all members of our community, once they're informed slightly, would be of benefit.

Health committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you for the invitation. Studies dealing with healthy living habits are very important. A few weeks ago my colleague Dr. Doig was here to talk about the health consequences of poor nutrition and lack of physical activity and the policies CMA has adopted to promote healthy living.

Finance committee  We'd be happy to do that. I'll back up the truck.

Finance committee  Thank you very much. I'll be very brief and say “yes”.

Finance committee  I'd be very pleased to. Yes, the Canadian Medical Association is firmly behind looking at comprehensiveness in our health care coverage, all the way from health promotion, acute care, which we currently have with hospitals and doctors, but expanding that to long-term care, chronic palliative care, as well, and including pharmaceutical coverage that is comprehensive for all Canadians independent of their ability to pay.

Finance committee  I'll be very quick in responding. Thanks for your question. I think the movement from six weeks' support to longer would be helpful. I have to say that this, in its own right, would not be sufficient, recognizing that many of those people who require services at home are not just the people who are dying--compassionate care.

Finance committee  Thank you very much. I think what we first and foremost need to have is a conversation amongst all Canadians as to how they want their health care to look, and then we have to ask how it should be structured, recognizing the unique jurisdictions that are involved. There are many opportunities for our federal government to become engaged in working with, not against, our provinces.

Finance committee  Thank you very much for that question. The issues of health promotion strategies and looking at the social determinants of health are key. The Canadian Medical Association supports these and is very enthusiastic about enhancing the good health of our population. We can do that through direct health care and we can do that as well by looking at the social determinants of health and informing our public about the need for good health.

Finance committee  It's very important. Is the CMA serious about it? Definitely. It's one of our most important priorities as we see our aging population going forward, and the direct and indirect costs that will have to be borne because of Alzheimer's disease--as in your family--stroke, and other chronic illnesses.

Finance committee  —the CMA recommends that pilot studies be undertaken to explore tax credits and/or direct compensation for informal caregivers for their work, and to expand programs for informal caregivers who provide guaranteed access to respite services in emergency situations. Finally, the government should increase RRSP limits and explore opportunities to provide pension vehicles for self-employed Canadians.