QUESTION PERIOD — Health
Advertising Directed at Children
June 12, 2019
My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate. Senator Harder, studies have clearly shown that food marketing directed at children contributes to excess consumption of sodium, saturated fats and sugar, which is why one in three Canadian children is overweight or obese. I repeat, one in three kids. Restricting this kind of marketing was a campaign promise and a component of the 2016 healthy eating strategy.
That being said, the Government of Canada chose instead to support the efforts of our former colleague, Senator Greene Raine, through Bill S-228. As we know, extensive consultations were held, and on Friday, Health Canada released a new report summarizing the feedback it had received on the draft guide to the application of the bill, which was published in December 2018.
Senator Harder, could you explain the purpose of this publication and tell us what new information the report offers about the ongoing discussions surrounding the draft regulations?
I thank the honourable senator for her question and ongoing advocacy and excessive patience on this matter. I would also compliment Senator Seidman for her leadership on Bill S-228.
The recent report you referred to demonstrates the government’s ongoing commitment to consultations. The information contained in this report will help inform the regulatory process, as well as draft 2.0 of the draft guide to the application of the child health protection act. The government received extensive feedback from industry, academia and health professionals.
With respect to Bill S-228 itself, I would repeat the same message I’ve been stating over the last number of months, that this bill deserves a vote and this chamber should be afforded an opportunity to make a decision on this bill promptly.
