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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
 
Meeting No. 30
 
Thursday, April 7, 2005
 

The Standing Committee on Health met at 11:07 a.m. this day, in Room 308 West Block, the Chair, Bonnie Brown, presiding.

 

Members of the Committee present: Bonnie Brown, Colin Carrie, Hon. Brenda Chamberlain, Jean Crowder, Nicole Demers, Steven John Fletcher, James Lunney, Réal Ménard, Rob Merrifield, Michael John Savage and Hon. Robert Thibault.

 

Associate Members present: Paul Szabo.

 

Other Members present: Hon. Mark Eyking.

 

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Nancy Miller Chenier, Analyst; Sonya Norris, Analyst. House of Commons: Wayne Cole, Legislative Clerk.

 

Witnesses: University of Victoria: Tim Stockwell, Director and Professor, Centre for Addictions Research of BC. House of Commons: Paul Szabo, M.P., Mississauga South.

 
Pursuant to the Order of Reference of Wednesday, February 9, 2005, the Committee resumed consideration of Bill C-206, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (warning labels regarding the consumption of alcohol).
 

The witnesses made statements and Tim Stockwell answered questions.

 

It was agreed, — That, at the conclusion of the presentation by Paul Szabo, M.P., members of the Committee would dispense with questions.

 

Brenda Chamberlain moved, —

Whereas:

• The Health Minister has indicated he is serious about preventing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and has told the House of Commons that his department is working toward a comprehensive strategy for FASD based on proven and established best practices;

• The majority of witnesses appearing have told the Committee that the established targeted programs currently in place would have a much better chance of success than warning labels;

• The implementation of Bill C-206 will cost the federal government significant dollars to implement and maintain. The diversion of these resources to labelling at the expense of targeted programs is not cost effective;

• The implementation of the Bill is likely to raise trade and charter questions which will impose further costs on the government;

Therefore, be it resolved that this Committee, pursuant to Standing Order 97.1, recommends that the House of Commons do not proceed further with Bill C-206, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (warning labels regarding the consumption of alcohol).

Debate arose thereon.

 
Réal Ménard proposed to move, - That the Committee request that the Government table, by June 2, 2005, a new Bill that reflects Quebec's model for responsible drinking and that, therefore, gives alcoholic beverage manufacturers the choice of either providing funding to an organization that implements alcohol prevention and/or education programs or adding regulatory labels to their products.
 

The Chair ruled the proposed amendment inadmissible due to the lack of conformity with Standing Order 97.1.

 

The Committee resumed consideration of the motion of Brenda Chamberlain, —

Whereas:

• The Health Minister has indicated he is serious about preventing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and has told the House of Commons that his department is working toward a comprehensive strategy for FASD based on proven and established best practices;

• The majority of witnesses appearing have told the Committee that the established targeted programs currently in place would have a much better chance of success than warning labels;

• The implementation of Bill C-206 will cost the federal government significant dollars to implement and maintain. The diversion of these resources to labelling at the expense of targeted programs is not cost effective;

• The implementation of the Bill is likely to raise trade and charter questions which will impose further costs on the government;

Therefore, be it resolved that this Committee, pursuant to Standing Order 97.1, recommends that the House of Commons do not proceed further with Bill C-206, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (warning labels regarding the consumption of alcohol).

 

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Colin Carrie, Brenda Chamberlain, Nicole Demers, Steven John Fletcher, James Lunney, Réal Ménard, Rob Merrifield, Michael John Savage, Robert Thibault — 9; NAYS: Jean Crowder — 1.

 
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the Committee on Thursday, April 7, 2005, the Committee commenced its study of a new government strategy for the prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
 

Rob Merrifield moved, — That the Committee call on the government to present to the Standing Committee on Health a new strategy for the prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, to be developed by Health Canada and stakeholder groups, by June 2, 2005.

 
By unanimous consent, the Committee reverted to business related to the motion by Brenda Chamberlain previously adopted during this meeting.
 

It was agreed, — That the Chair report the recommendation by the Committee that, pursuant to Standing Order 97.1, the House of Commons do not proceed further with Bill C-206, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (warning labels regarding the consumption of alcohol).

 

By unanimous consent, the Committee resumed consideration of the motion of Rob Merrifield, — That the Committee call on the government to present to the Standing Committee on Health a new strategy for the prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, to be developed by Health Canada and stakeholder groups, by June 2, 2005.

 

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 8; NAYS: 2.

 

At 12:44 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

 



Carmen DePape
Clerk of the Committee

 
 
2005/06/07 8:59 a.m.