Dear Minister Michel and Health Canada Officials,

I am writing about comments made by Les Hagen, Executive Director of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH Canada), during the October 27 press conference on Parliament Hill. His comments about Michael Bloomberg and Prime Minister Carney are very concerning, and I believe Health Canada needs to address them.

Here is what Mr. Hagen said during the press conference

“The Prime Minister served on the board of Bloomberg Philanthropies for five years before pursuing his current posting. Bloomberg Philanthropies is the world’s largest private funder of tobacco control, and is urging governments to ban flavoured vaping products. We hope this recommendation is not lost on the Prime Minister or his government.”

This is absolutely unacceptable.

At a time when Canadians are having serious conversations about sovereignty and outside influence, we have the head of a Canadian tobacco control organization that has received taxpayer funding publicly reminding our Prime Minister of his relationship with an American billionaire who wants Canada to ban vape flavours. Why?

So, I have a simple question for Health Canada. Does Michael Bloomberg have a seat at Canada’s tobacco and nicotine policymaking table? And if he doesn’t, why is Mr. Hagen suggesting that his relationship with our Prime Minister should matter?

For years, Canadian adult nicotine consumers have fought to have our voices heard by Health Canada. We participate in consultations, submit evidence and ask to be included. Yet Mr. Hagen and many of his colleagues continue to argue that our voices should be excluded because of perceived tobacco industry influence. But Mr. Hagen can stand at a press conference and openly invoke an American billionaire’s relationship with our Prime Minister to advance his policy position? How is one kind of perceived influence unacceptable, while the other is apparently fine?

I also want to address Canada’s delegation to FCTC COP12 and MOP5 in Armenia in 2027. Mr. Hagen has previously participated in Canada’s delegation, and I am formally requesting that Health Canada not include him in the upcoming delegation. After hearing these comments, I have to question why Mr. Hagen  should be even considered to  represent Canada at international tobacco policy meetings. If this is how he believes Canadian policy should be influenced, I don’t believe he should have a place on the Canadian delegation team.

I am asking Health Canada to:

1. Review Mr. Hagen’s October 27 statements and explain whether Health Canada considers them appropriate from an organization seeking to influence federal health policy.
2. Confirm whether ASH Canada receives federal funding and whether these statements raise any concerns under its funding agreements.
3. Explain what safeguards exist to prevent foreign individuals and organizations from exercising inappropriate influence over Canadian nicotine policy.
4. Address these remarks directly with ASH Canada and determine whether a formal reprimand or other corrective action is warranted.
5. Exclude Mr. Hagen from Canada’s official delegation to COP12 and MOP5 in 2027 and explain how delegation members are selected.

I have no issue with ASH Canada advocating for its position. That’s their right, just as it’s ours.

What I do take issue with is Canadian consumers being told we don’t deserve a seat at the table because of perceived industry influence, while Mr. Hagen publicly reminds our Prime Minister of his relationship with Michael Bloomberg. I find that double standard insulting. Canadian policy should be made in Canada, for Canadians, with Canadians at the table.

I would appreciate a written response addressing each of the five requests above, particularly the question of Mr. Hagen’s participation in Canada’s upcoming COP12 delegation.

Sincerely,

Maria Papaioannoy
Safer Nicotine Project