Discussion · Adjournment Proceedings
Maggie Chi Liberal
“I support the changes in this bill. Health and safety are still our top priority. The bill lets Health Canada consider the economy and food supply alongside health when making decisions on pesticides. Any special pesticide use would be temporary, strict, and only allowed during major emergencies like crop failures.”
“Mr. Speaker, my colleague has long been a powerful voice for the environment. I have immense respect for her. First and foremost, I want to reassure her that the health and safety of Canadians will always be our top concern, and nothing that was in Bill C-30 takes away from the fact that the minister’s top concern in making economic security and food security orders is always going to be preventing unacceptable risks to human health and to the environment. However, I think it is worth looking more broadly at what these changes do. The bill comes at a time when economic and food security are major concerns for all of us, not just because of the United States’ action towards Canada, but also because of how climate change is impacting farmers and crops across the country and around the world. This is why our changes would be so important. For the first time, we would be asking that when Health Canada makes decisions on pesticides, we consider economic security and food security not above any other considerations, but alongside them. Any use of pesticides under these new rules would be temporary and would come with strict conditions attached. They would also be used in exceptional, time-limited circumstances where action was needed to protect national or regional economic security or national food security, such as in the event of a major crop failure or supply disruption. The goal really would be to protect the health and food security of Canadians while also ensuring a safe and affordable food supply. As the Prime Minister and Minister of Health have both said, we are at a hinge moment. We must build on our strength to lead our country with confidence in its next chapter. A key part of this is working with our provincial and territorial partners, as well as local and global partners, to strengthen food security and economic resilience. If we act now, we can ensure that Canada’s agriculture and health sectors are a source of our stability, a catalyst for productivity and a strong foundation for our prosperity.”
Mr. Speaker, my colleague has long been a powerful voice for the environment. I have immense respect for her. First and foremost, I want to reassure her that the health and safety of Canadians will always be our top concern, and nothing that was in Bill C-30 takes away from the fact that the minister’s top concern in making economic security and food security orders is always going to be preventing unacceptable risks to human health and to the environment. However, I think it is worth looking more broadly at what these changes do. The bill comes at a time when economic and food security are major concerns for all of us, not just because of the United States’ action towards Canada, but also because of how climate change is impacting farmers and crops across the country and around the world. This is why our changes would be so important. For the first time, we would be asking that when Health Canada makes decisions on pesticides, we consider economic security and food security not above any other considerations, but alongside them. Any use of pesticides under these new rules would be temporary and would come with strict conditions attached. They would also be used in exceptional, time-limited circumstances where action was needed to protect national or regional economic security or national food security, such as in the event of a major crop failure or supply disruption. The goal really would be to protect the health and food security of Canadians while also ensuring a safe and affordable food supply. As the Prime Minister and Minister of Health have both said, we are at a hinge moment. We must build on our strength to lead our country with confidence in its next chapter. A key part of this is working with our provincial and territorial partners, as well as local and global partners, to strengthen food security and economic resilience. If we act now, we can ensure that Canada’s agriculture and health sectors are a source of our stability, a catalyst for productivity and a strong foundation for our prosperity.