In addition, one participant proposed that a guiding principle in decision-making should be that the health of individuals is more important than the economic health of a company or industry or health professional. Discussion in the groups reflected mistrust and concern that the Health Protection Branch was protecting the health of Canadians adequately. It is the task of Health Protection Branch to earn trust through visible actions. In particular, penalties should be large and should be enforced and people responsible for crimes should be targeted. The suggestion was made that a convicted company would be required to place a full-page notice in newspapers admitting fault.
Consumer organizations have a role in monitoring the implementation of regulations.
Legislation should be renewed more frequently. Interest was expressed in learning how legislative changes affect the health care system. There was concern that confidentiality of health information on the individual was critical and it was felt that a strict code of ethics, respecting the right to privacy, was essential. However, there were no suggestions on how reference to these issues could be incorporated in the legislation. However, there was general mistrust that the current consultation process would effect substantive change in HPB policy or procedure.