Federal government follows Senate's lead on obesity: Senator Ogilvie, Senator Eggleton and Senator Stewart Olsen
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Seven months after our Senate committee made recommendations to reduce obesity in Canada, the federal government is finally beginning to act.
Health Minister Jane Philpott’s pledge to revise Canada’s dated food guide is long overdue. We applaud this first step — it was one of 21 recommendations the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology made after our comprehensive study of rising obesity rates.
Any celebration, however, would be premature.
Minister Philpott has launched public consultations in her quest to revise the food guide — and she is seeking input from industry.
As we noted in our report, food guides too often reflect the financial interests of the dominant food businesses. We are adamant that industry must not be represented on the committee that advises the minister regarding changes to the food guide.
The minister, however, has also promised to make regulations to eliminate trans fats in foods — something else that our committee has recommended.
And the government is examining the public bill tabled in the Senate by our fellow committee member Senator Nancy Greene Raine that would ban the marketing of food and beverages directed at children under the age of 13.
In short, there is much to like about the minister’s announcement — provided, ofcourse, that she follows through on her commitments.
As she acknowledged, obesity costs billions of dollars a year and most Canadians are overweight or obese.
We must act swiftly.
This is where the work of the Senate is so important. We have provided the government with a detailed, well-researched report and thoughtful policy recommendations that could make a real difference in the lives of Canadians.
Note to readers:
The Honourable Kelvin Kenneth Ogilvie retired from the Senate of Canada in November 2017. Learn more about his work in Parliament.
The Honourable Art Eggleton, P.C. retired from the Senate of Canada in September 2018. Learn more about his work in Parliament.
The Honourable Carolyn Stewart Olsen retired from the Senate of Canada in July 2021. Learn more about her work in Parliament.
Seven months after our Senate committee made recommendations to reduce obesity in Canada, the federal government is finally beginning to act.
Health Minister Jane Philpott’s pledge to revise Canada’s dated food guide is long overdue. We applaud this first step — it was one of 21 recommendations the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology made after our comprehensive study of rising obesity rates.
Any celebration, however, would be premature.
Minister Philpott has launched public consultations in her quest to revise the food guide — and she is seeking input from industry.
As we noted in our report, food guides too often reflect the financial interests of the dominant food businesses. We are adamant that industry must not be represented on the committee that advises the minister regarding changes to the food guide.
The minister, however, has also promised to make regulations to eliminate trans fats in foods — something else that our committee has recommended.
And the government is examining the public bill tabled in the Senate by our fellow committee member Senator Nancy Greene Raine that would ban the marketing of food and beverages directed at children under the age of 13.
In short, there is much to like about the minister’s announcement — provided, ofcourse, that she follows through on her commitments.
As she acknowledged, obesity costs billions of dollars a year and most Canadians are overweight or obese.
We must act swiftly.
This is where the work of the Senate is so important. We have provided the government with a detailed, well-researched report and thoughtful policy recommendations that could make a real difference in the lives of Canadians.
Note to readers:
The Honourable Kelvin Kenneth Ogilvie retired from the Senate of Canada in November 2017. Learn more about his work in Parliament.
The Honourable Art Eggleton, P.C. retired from the Senate of Canada in September 2018. Learn more about his work in Parliament.
The Honourable Carolyn Stewart Olsen retired from the Senate of Canada in July 2021. Learn more about her work in Parliament.