Health committee  It's not only about self-regulation. It's about confidence in the regulatory system we have today. There isn't a need, necessarily, for self-regulation, because there is such a robust and thorough premarket and postmarket regulatory regime existing in Canada today.

Health committee  I appreciate the question. What we've determined is that this information is very hard to define. We actually had to engage with a third party management consultant group for us to try to scrub the data that is currently housed in the database for MedEffect. They discovered, after we heard the initial quotes made by Health Canada, that this information is not readily available.

Health committee  We would agree with that. The vast majority of our members appreciate and understand the benefit of a strong regulatory environment. I think that's why we're so proud of the regulations that we have today, and we've quoted many times that we're seen as a gold standard internationally.

Health committee  I think we have a very strong, internationally recognized and robust regulatory system for natural health products—absolutely.

Health committee  Thank you very much for the question. Obviously, since we've been made aware—and as Mr. Harrington noted, that was very late in the process and I think counter to some of the commitments that we had received from the department—we've been working quite diligently. Obviously, it will impact every individual business uniquely depending on their piece, but I can give a few examples of specific members we have.

Health committee  We have. One of the roles we play as the representative for this industry in Canada is liaising with groups around the world. In those discussions, I will convey that we are, undoubtedly, seen as a standard for how to balance consumer interests and the interests of businesses in this country.

Health committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Adam, CHFA member and former director general of the NHPD, for joining me today. I want to begin by saying thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today on the regulatory and legislative approach to natural health products by the Government of Canada.

Health committee  Health Canada has now simultaneously implemented and proposed multiple regulatory changes for natural health products under the self-care framework, which was initiated in 2014 and was intended to bring together low-risk products such as cosmetics, natural health products and over-the-counter drugs.

Industry committee  I would say the majority of what I'm prepared to speak to today is around Health Canada. I think our members, as some of the other presenters today have said, are firmly committed to working with different organizations to find the best outcome for both sides. Specifically today, it's about Health Canada.

Industry committee  Thank you for the question. I think there is a predictability to what we have now. What concerns our members the most, I think, is the phasing and the rollout of what's been discussed in future changes to the self-care framework. It's the ability to predict the timing and the scope of those changes and to plan their businesses accordingly.

Industry committee  As the president and CEO of the Canadian Health Food Association, I can tell you that our sector and membership are defined by small and medium-sized businesses that are dedicated to providing Canadian customers and consumers with natural, organic wellness products that help to promote their families' health.