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HESA Committee Meeting

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Minutes of Proceedings

44th Parliament, 1st Session
Meeting 60
Thursday, March 30, 2023, 12:04 p.m. to 1:31 p.m.
Webcast
Presiding
Sean Casey, Chair (Liberal)

• Hon. Ed Fast for Stephen Ellis (Conservative)
• Cathay Wagantall for Stephen Ellis (Conservative)
Library of Parliament
• Sarah Dodsworth, Analyst
• Kelly Farrah, Analyst
 
House of Commons
• Philippe Méla, Legislative Clerk
• Justin Vaive, Legislative Clerk
Department of Health
• Dr. Supriya Sharma, Chief Medical Advisor and Senior Medical Advisor, Health Products and Food Branch
• David K. Lee, Chief Regulatory Officer, Health Products and Food Branch
Pursuant to the order of reference of Wednesday, September 28, 2022, the committee resumed consideration of Bill C-252, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibition of food and beverage marketing directed at children).

The witnesses answered questions.

The committee resumed its clause-by-clause study on Clause 4 of the Bill.

The committee resumed consideration of the amendment of Adam van Koeverden, — That Bill C-252, in Clause 4, be amended by replacing line 20 on page 3 to line 1 on page 4 with the following:

“prescribed foods that contain more than the prescribed level of sugars, saturated fat or sodium in a manner that is primarily directed at persons who are under 13”

Laila Goodridge moved, — That the amendment be amended by adding after the words “prescribed foods” the following: “, excluding unprocessed foods,”.

After debate, by unanimous consent, the subamendment was withdrawn.

The question was put on the amendment of Adam van Koeverden and it was agreed to.

Laila Goodridge moved, — That Bill C-252, in Clause 4, be amended by adding after line 2 on page 4 the following:

“(2) Advertising, whether sponsored or made through programming, the goal of which is to promote a healthy lifestyle in children, including youth sports and athletic programs and endeavours, is exempt from the application of subsection (1).”

The Chair ruled the proposed amendment inadmissible because it was beyond the scope of the Bill, as provided on page 770 of House of Commons Procedure and Practice, Third Edition.

Whereupon, Laila Goodridge appealed the decision of the Chair.

The question: "Shall the decision of the Chair be sustained?" was put and the decision was sustained on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Don Davies, Brendan Hanley, Majid Jowhari, Marcus Powlowski, Sonia Sidhu, Adam van Koeverden — 6;

NAYS: Ed Fast, Laila Goodridge, Matt Jeneroux, Robert Kitchen, Luc Thériault — 5.

Matt Jeneroux moved, — That Bill C-252, in Clause 4, be amended by adding after line 2 on page 4 the following:

“7.11 Section 7.1 shall not be interpreted as affecting or restricting parents' choices with respect to cultural practices, as well as the needs, care and upbringing of their children.”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Matt Jeneroux and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

Robert Kitchen moved, — That Bill C-252, in Clause 4, be amended by adding after line 2 on page 4 the following:

“7.11 Advertising of food and beverages must focus on increasing educational awareness with respect to healthy eating and to the benefits of exercise for children starting at the elementary school level.”

The Chair ruled the proposed amendment inadmissible because it was beyond the scope of the Bill, as provided on page 770 of House of Commons Procedure and Practice, Third Edition.

Adam van Koeverden moved, — That Bill C-252, in Clause 4, be amended by replacing lines 20 to 22 on page 4 with the following:

referred to in section 7.1 in a manner that is primarily directed at persons who are 13 years of age or older but less than 18 years of age.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Adam van Koeverden and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 4.

Matt Jeneroux moved, — That Bill C-252, in Clause 4, be amended by adding after line 22 on page 4 the following:

“(2) The review shall also examine whether, since their coming into force, sections 7.1 and 7.2 have been effective having regard to rates of obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, sleep apnea, mental health issues, cancer and high blood pressure in children.”

Debate arose thereon.

At 1:31 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.



Patrick Williams
Clerk of the committee