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 oft

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 seve

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

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

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

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

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 adop

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, chron

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 jus

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

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 t

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

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 g