Environment committee  Just very briefly, because the question was about studies, and in the spirit of transparency, Health Canada is working with Statistics Canada to do, as was pointed out, a one-time bio-monitoring study, something we hope can be annualized. It is worth noting that at this point in time the age break for children does not go quite as young as both departments would ideally like.

Environment committee  I didn't read them, so I can't speak about the studies conducted by the groups that are present today.

Environment committee  With climate change, not specifically, but if you take a look at air health effects, particularly in vulnerable populations, there is evidence to suggest that smog, in particular, does have an impact on seniors as a vulnerable population--so not children, but a different vulnerable population.

Environment committee  We do have reciprocal agreements with other countries, but we have had difficulties because of confidential business information. This has been a problematic area.

Environment committee  I can tell you that both departments work very hard on the priorities with the resources we have. Science is always evolving.

Environment committee  We have regulations that require us to take a look at cosmetics and the substances in them. So it's not exactly the same in Canada as in the U.S., but I think it would be fair to characterize this as an area of growing concern. There are labelling issues with respect to cosmetics, or with the absence of labelling.

Environment committee  CEPA is one piece of legislation within the federal family. You also have the Food and Drugs Act and you have cosmetics regulations. What we have to do is to coordinate an assessment within those. So a substance may be used in an industrial setting, in consumer products, and in pharmaceuticals; we have to take a look at how that substance is used.

Environment committee  Science is constantly evolving. All I can tell you, sir, is that we do the best job available.

Environment committee  I'm sorry...?

Environment committee  You guys are really going to like me today, but it depends. The short answer is no. Existing substances are peer-reviewed, as per the definition put forward by.... So they are external to, or arm's length from, the department. We have a very rigorous process of peer review for existing substances.

Environment committee  Not for new—

Environment committee  The rationale is timelines; we have to render decisions within 90 days. There's confidential business information contained in those. There are a number of things—

Environment committee  I do not understand your question.

Environment committee  Because that has improved our database. It will help the process overall.

Environment committee  In general, yes. But my answer remains the same. It depends. In the situation, yes, it will help if the chemical product has a... chemical makeup that is similar to another one we've already assessed. So if we've looked at something and it's similar, that helps us in terms of understanding mode of action and that kind of stuff.