Question Period Notes
About this information
In accordance with the Access to Information Act, the government proactively publishes the package of question period notes that were prepared by a government institution for the minister and that were in use on the last sitting day in June and December.
The question period notes may be partially or fully redacted in accordance with the legislation; for example, if the notes contain information related to national security or personal information. (Learn more about exemptions and exclusions.)
If you find a question period note of interest, you may make an access to information request in order to obtain it.
• Between April and June 2023, Health Canada consulted Canadians on a policy update regarding its proposed approach to restricting the advertising of foods to children (known as M2K). The policy will form the basis of draft regulations expected to be published in Spring 2024 for public consultation (CGI). The proposed restrictions are more targeted than what was proposed in 2018 and will apply to TV and online media only. Health stakeholders are supportive of federal action and the targeted restrictions given the proposed policy’s strong nutrient criteria, its application in areas of high exposure and the commitment to continued monitoring to inform potential future actions, however, will continue to advocate for broader restrictions. Industry is critical of the government advancing regulations as they recently introduced their new self-regulatory advertising Code, which was implemented on June 28, 2023.
• Beginning in late 2023 a large increase in measles has been observed worldwide, particularly in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) European Region. The WHO reported that the number of cases of measles worldwide increased by 18% and deaths increased by 43% globally in 2022 compared to 2021.
• Currently, cases of measles have been reported in several provinces in Canada. As of May 22, 2024, PHAC is aware of at least 77 measles cases in Canada. While some are associated with international travel, most cases in 2024 in Canada were a result of a Canadian exposure. Many cases are in unvaccinated individuals.
• An unvaccinated child has died of measles. This is the first measles death reported to PHAC since Canada achieved elimination status in 1998.
• A number of factors including the global rise in mistrust in government and science is leading to increasing rates of vaccine hesitancy thus creating declines in vaccine coverage. As a result, we are seeing a re-emergence of certain vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) in Canada and around the world, such as measles.
• In October 2022, the Ministers of Health and of Innovation, Science and Industry (ISI) launched the Advisory Panel on the Federal Research Support System to provide advice on modernizing the federal support system with a specific focus on the relationship between the granting agencies (the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)) and the Canada Foundation for Innovation.
• The Report of the Advisory Panel (i.e., Bouchard Report) was released in March 2023 and identified a series of issues within the existing federal research support system (e.g., lagging investment levels in research and talent, difficulties in supporting interdisciplinary/ multidisciplinary, collaborative and international research, lack of independent science advisory functions and a common vision for the ecosystem, and outdated approach to supporting Major Research Facilities). The Bouchard Report also provided a series of 21 recommendations to address these issues.
• In response, the Government developed a comprehensive plan to modernize the federal support system for scientific research and talent with complementary investments sought through Budget 2024.
• There has been significant stakeholder concern related to recent initiatives to strengthen the regulation of natural health products (NHPs).
• The NHP industry has been very vocal about its opposition and has launched campaigns to gain consumer and political support.
• The Official Opposition is a supporter of the campaigns and introduced a Private Member’s Bill in December 2023 to reverse the changes made by the 2023 Budget Implementation Act, which provided the Department with additional authorities to keep Canadians safe.
• The recent Health Canada initiatives aim to improve the safety of NHPs available to Canadians.
• The Government of Canada has published a draft State of PFAS report. This draft report proposes that PFAS as a class may cause harm to both human health and the environment. There is a considerable amount of public interest in this very large group of substances.
• The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) is an independent quasi-judicial body that protects the interests of Canadian consumers by ensuring that the prices of patented medicines sold in Canada are not excessive.
• Canada’s regulations of general application governing the sale of health products and food work well in most situations, however issues can arise that require tailored regulatory approaches.
• The proposed amendments to the Food and Drugs Act will enable timely, precise regulatory solutions to help mitigate issues such as product shortages, areas of unmet need or potential health risks or adverse effects.
• The proposed authorities would not displace the normal functioning of the Food and Drugs Act and its regulations, but rather provide the Minister of Health with complementary tools to achieve the right outcomes for people in Canada.
• Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada procured and distributed millions of rapid tests to support rapid testing programs across the country with the aim to limit the spread of the virus.
• The Government of Canada built substantial federal reserves of rapid tests in the event of a potential resurgence and, given diminishing demand, has been divesting of the surplus tests to minimize volumes going unused prior to their expiration in 2024.
News outlets regularly feature product recalls in Canada, including for products regulated by Health Canada.
• The pandemic disproportionately affected Canadians living in long-term care homes. Canadians are concerned about the availability of safe, high-quality long-term care services.