Recent resignations suggest industry has too much sway with Health Canada: NDP

OTTAWA — NDP health critic Don Davies says the resignation of a scientific adviser from the federal pesticide regulator is yet another example of industry having too much influence at Health Canada.

Dr. Bruce Lanphear, a health-sciences professor at Simon Fraser University, stepped down as co-chair of Health Canada’s scientific advisory committee on pest control products late last month.

He cited concerns over the role the pesticide industry plays in the regulatory process, pointing to a tendency to favour industry-provided data over more broad, independent studies.

Davies noted that in February, a board member and the executive director of Canada’s drug-price regulator also resigned, alleging that industry pressure stalled reforms to lower the cost of patented medicines.