Federal Consultations
If you have an interest in food policy, then take part in the conversation! Influence federal policy and decisions. There are a number of public consultations that take place throughout the year. We will keep you up-to-date on what consultations are currently taking place and what you can do to participate.
Ongoing Consultations
Nutrition for Healthy Term Infants: Recommendations from Birth to Six Months
Deadline: April 15, 2012
Health Canada is conducting an open consultation on the draft statement: Nutrition for Healthy Term Infants - Recommendations from Birth to Six Months. The statement contains evidence-informed recommendations to assist health professionals in communicating consistent guidance on infant nutrition to Canadian parents and caregivers. The revised draft document and further information can be found here and here. Comments or questions of clarification can be sent to the Office of Nutrition Policy and Promotion via email (nutrition [at] hc-sc [dot] gc [dot] ca), fax (613-941-2432) or mail (Office of Nutrition Policy and Promotion, C/o Infant Nutrition Project Lead, Health Canada; Address Locator: 3303D Qualicum Tower A, 2936 Baseline Rd, Ottawa ON K1A 0K9).
Consumer Product Safety Consultations
Deadlines:
Trichoderma virens strain G-41: April 4, 2012
Fluoxastrobin technical fungicide: April 16, 2012
Amitrole: May 12, 2012
Fludioxonil, chlorantraniliprole: June 3, 2012
The Pest Management Regulatory Agency reviews proposed maximum residue limits for pesticides on a regular basis to ensure food and consumer product safety. Currently, the proposed maximum residue limits for Trichoderma virens strain G-41, fluoxastrobin technical fungicide, amitrole, fludioxonil, and chlorantraniliprole are still open for consultation. You can find an up-to-date list of all consultations of the Agency here.
The Growing Forward 2 Engagement Strategy
Deadline: Rolling
In 2008, the government announced the completion of the Growing Forward framework. This agreement expires in 2013, and a new framework must be ready for implementation. Public consultations about the new framework are taking place in three phases. The second phase ended in September, and the next one is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2012. For more information about what transpired in the first two rounds of consultation, and to keep up-to-date about the upcoming consultation this spring, click here. Also, feedback is still being solicited throughout the engagement process. You can send comments or questions to GrowingForward2 [at] agr [dot] gc [dot] ca.
First Nations Engagement and Consultations with Fisheries and Oceans Canada
You can find a list of meetings, workshops and planning sessions with First Nations and Fisheries and Oceans Canada here.
Feedback and information on past and closed consultation processes
Report on research and innovation efforts in the agricultural sector
The Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry is currently examining the state of research and innovation efforts in the agricultural sector and is planning to prepare a report once its studies are concluded. Since October 2011, it has met 18 times and more meetings are scheduled. The meeting minutes, which include various stakeholder consultations from industry and the public sector, can be found here.
Our Health, Our Future – A National Dialogue on Healthy Weights
The national dialogue Our Health, Our Future, which had at its goal to inform Canadians about the issue of childhood overweight and obesity, and to engage various sectors of Canadian society to help address this important public health issue, has now concluded its consultations, and published its final report! It can be found here in pdf form and here in html. More information and resources are available on the dialogue’s website.
Canada Health Accord
The 2004 Health Accord will be up for renewal in 2014. The Accord outlines the transfer of funds from the federal government to provinces and territories in order to support health care services. The Senate of Canada Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology has been studying progress on the 2004 health accord, and they have just completed their hearings. There are no plans at the moment for further public engagement on the health accord, but the committee is expected to report on findings later in the year. We will keep you up-to-date on any news that pops up.