Inside the Natural Health Products Directorate
In response to growing concerns about the regulatory environment for natural medicines and an extensive study by the House Standing Committee on Health, Health Canada developed a new regulatory framework for natural health products (NHPs). The product of extensive consultations with a range of stakeholders representing consumers, academia, practitioners and industry, this innovative framework came […]
A look back at the healthcare chatter, promises in TV debates
The following is an excerpt from the English-language TV leaders’ debates held in Ottawa on June 15. This specific excerpt between Prime Minister Paul Martin, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, NDP Leader Jack Layton and Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe focused on the future of Canada’s healthcare system. CTV’s Craig Oliver led the debate with a […]
Canada needs a national catastrophic drug plan, say Senators, eliminate one of most unfair aspects
During the recent federal election all major parties addressed the need for catastrophic drug insurance for all Canadians — an issue first raised publicly by the Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs Science and Technology in its October 2002 report, The Health of Canadians, Recommendations for Reform. All major parties said in their platforms that […]
Promoting, not defending supply management
Recently I shocked a group of farmers by telling them: “I’m tired of defending supply management!” As a Member of Parliament often known as “the chicken farmer,” I caused a stir in the room until I quickly added: “No, I want to promote supply management.” Supply management has been under attack in international trade negotiations. […]
Rookie Agriculture Minister Speller suspects Canada-U.S. border to open ‘very soon’ to transporting live cattle
Agriculture Minister Bob Speller, who went to Washington, D.C., with the Prime Minister and other Cabinet ministers to meet with U.S. President George W. Bush, told The Hill Times that he believes the Canada-U.S. border will be opened up to transporting live cattle “very soon” and likely before the summer. “Well, the comment period just […]
Ottawa must respect Quebec’s differences in agriculture
This is a difficult period for agriculture. The mad cow crisis in Alberta is just the latest in a series of blows that have led to a steady drop in farmers’ incomes. The Farm Product Price Index (FPPI) is lower today than it was eight years ago, while production costs continue to rise. When Paul […]
Bio-security protocol breached by humans in avian flu crisis, according to chief veterinarian of CFIA, says NDP’s Proctor
In politics, it’s good to be lucky and lucky to be good. Recently-minted Agriculture Minister Bob Speller has enjoyed some of each. Although the second case of mad cow disease last December was devastating for cattle farmers the timing for the minister — nine days after being sworn into Cabinet — could not have been […]
Agriculture in Canada needs a framework for prosperity
It has been said the road to hell is paved with good intentions and though the Liberal government hasn’t paid much attention to paving roads lately, the destination they have in mind for rural Canadians seems to be the same. Struggling with an endless stream of misdirected regulations, excessive taxes and costs, and curious forms […]
A national science adviser for Canada
Like many of my colleagues in government and university circles, I have often felt over the years that Canada would be well-served by the appointment of a national science adviser who would not only articulate the perspective of science within the Canadian government, but also advance Canadian S&T interests internationally. Such positions have long existed […]
‘Commercialization gap’ will require more dollars: Fontana
The Paul Martin government is working on possibly creating a new source of funding or seed money to help Canadian businesses better market their research ideas, says the Prime Minister’s new Parliamentary secretary on science and small business. Liberal MP Joe Fontana (London North Centre, Ont.) says it’s his new job to create […]
