Health committee  With the reduction to 90 days, we think that such a situation will be manageable for us. Under Canada Gazette part I, our normal comment period is approximately 75 to 90 days anyway, so these are actually aligning, and we feel we could make that work. Since the amendments that have been proposed limit the scope of this to regulations under paragraphs 36.1(4)(a), (b), and (c) and move the time period from 160 days to 90 days, the department is of the view that we can make this work.

Health committee  That's fine. (Amendment agreed to) (Clause 19 as amended agreed to) (Clauses 20 to 29 inclusive agreed to) (Clauses 31 to 36 inclusive agreed to)

Health committee  The other piece, without targeting any particular chain, is that if we see repeat offenders in terms of problems, that is contemplated in the administrative monetary penalties. So if this is the first time, there's an understanding, we want to work with you. But if you repeat, then the fines that we would impose, the administrative monetary penalties, will escalate as we move forward as a further deterrent in this sort of situation.

Health committee  Again, while I say we don't anticipate, we kind of anticipate. I know that sounds contradictory, but.... We do believe there is a clear federal role. We do have provincial-territorial committees we work through to make sure, if there are issues that need to be discussed and worked through, we can anticipate those and respect the federal and provincial powers and come up with a strategy that is clear for consumers and for the industries in those areas.

Health committee  We do have reciprocal agreements with many countries. We would not necessarily send inspectors there, but would ask them to provide information. We are working with other parties to say, well, rather than all of us setting up offices in a particular country, how would we work together and share that information?

Health committee  I will ask my colleague Robert Ianiro, who meets directly with a lot of these groups on a regular basis, to expand further, but suffice to say that we have been talking with them. They are supportive in general of what we are doing, and have been helpful in terms of ideas we've tried to incorporate as we move forward with this and other stakeholders.

Health committee  The very brief answer is that we do not anticipate that, but we have to anticipate that it might come up as we look at any particular issue. In the general design it is clear what the federal role is with respect to borders, importation, national standards, but then there are also local levels of government and different jurisdictions.

Health committee  We have a range of regulations that specify what the acceptable levels are in terms of migratable amounts from paint and other things like that. The minister has also committed to come forward with an integrated strategy on lead and a number of regulations to respond to this particular issue.

Health committee  I'm terribly sorry, could I ask the member to repeat that? I'll keep it short. I know I'm eating your time.

Health committee  The short answer is yes. We are taking a very close look at what other jurisdictions are doing. In the absence of Bill C-6, our trading partners in the European Union and in the United States have a concept very similar to the general prohibition. Without Bill C-6, we do not. This is an example of where this will bring us up.

Health committee  --at least modernize up, and in some instances get a little bit ahead.

Health committee  They are moving through making a number of rules, and this would allow us to be very compatible with them. There are some things the U.S. is looking at with respect to mandatory toy testing and other things that we are watching very closely as we move forward. Our attempt--again, because of the benefits of international harmonization, as long as it's harmonizing up--would be to continue to work with them to make sure that we have compatible legislation and the ability to exchange information.

Health committee  I'll turn to my colleagues to answer that.

Health committee  I'd be happy, through the clerk, to provide that. There are different sectors. There's a pesticide sector. There's one around transportation, consumer chemicals and workplace chemicals. But I'd be happy to provide that through the clerk. We do, as a country, have a plan for labelling.

Health committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. With respect to labelling, with all respect, the question has been answered--