Health committee  Very quickly, I echo Dr. Afifi's comments. I am just going to say that I've lived in Europe, I studied in the U.S. and I live in Canada. I can tell you we have some of the best scientists and clinicians in the world. My hope—and I'm very encouraged by the meeting today—is that our representatives in all levels of government, especially the members of this committee, will continue to work together, take the information in the testimonies of all the experts and stakeholders, and do something with it so that Canada can become the best country in the world to grow up in and for children to become useful and healthy citizens who contribute back to their community.

Health committee  Absolutely. I echo Professor Afifi's comments. The idea of taking an ecological approach to health and resiliency is about not thinking about children as individuals who are isolated from family, community, peers and the larger society. It's thinking about them in a developmental way.

Health committee  Can I add to those comments as well?

Health committee  I would say there are stakeholders that could come together and form a network of systems that could actually implement something like that, with a rigorous way in transparency and accountability.

Health committee  Absolutely. Many provincial studies and governments have produced guidelines for child health. I think what we're lacking in Canada is learning from each other across provinces and regions in a national scope. That's what's lacking here, and I think that's why this committee is here today.

Health committee  The different pieces may be there that we can build on. The committee is here today to learn from each other, so that all kids across Canada can benefit from evidence and learning. That is my point.

Health committee  In principle, I think that making sure funds are allocated to address the needs of children across the country should be a priority. I understand the point about transparency and accountability, but I don't see those as limitations. That is something that can be worked on. There are definitely ways—if there's will and collaboration—for us to increase the resources and take targeted steps so that we can actually support children and families on the ground.

Health committee  I am sure that we can identify those and submit them to the committee. I'm going to go back to the example of autism, where I think the model there can be used for the development of a national strategy for child health more generally. That is based on consultations with provinces, with—

Health committee  If we think in a limited way in terms of controlled capacity, resources and strategy, I completely agree with Dr. Afifi that we should be very careful. In the Canada that we all envision—especially those who are here today—capacity, resources and a clear evidence-placed strategy would be in place where screening is as much a part as a diagnosis, as timely interventions, so that our children and youth can reach their full potential.

Health committee  Thank you for your comment. I think the big question is why wouldn't we include it?

Health committee  I want to start with your comment about how broad child health is and how challenging it is to come up with an action plan that may also attach to screen use and mental health, especially during the pandemic. I agree with that. I've been in Canada for 27 years. I have to say that, in my opinion, I have never seen a study like the one being undertaken by your committee right now.

Health committee  Autism is a great example of children with multi-faceted needs. We know, based on several studies, that early diagnosis and earlier access to intervention can certainly lead to improved and more optimal outcomes. There is no doubt that the pandemic has limited the rate of diagnosis across our country, and the rate of diagnosis was already slow before the pandemic.

Health committee  Thank you, honourable chair and honourable members of this committee. Today, I join you from the authentic and resilient city of Hamilton and its surrounding areas, in the province of Ontario. I am here to represent the members of the Offord Centre for Child Studies, which is a multidisciplinary research institute dedicated to improving the lives, health and development of children and youth.