Saving Canada’s Natural Health Products
For months, I have received thousands of letters and emails from constituents who are deeply concerned about the regulatory change at Health Canada pertaining to Natural Health Products and Supplements.
Last month, my Conservative colleague, Alberta MP Blaine Calkins, introduced a Private Member’s Bill which would amend the Food and Drugs Act. This bill would reverse the changes made by the NDP-Liberal government in its omnibus budget bill, Bill C-47, earlier this year. It would return natural health products to the status quo, ensuring these products are not classified as therapeutic products, like synthetic drugs, and are therefore not subject to the same regulatory regime as other drugs.
Previously, natural health products were classified separately from pharmaceuticals due to the minimal risk they pose to their users. However, after the NDP-Liberal coalition passed Bill C-47, bureaucrats in Health Canada can now implement their own self-care scheme, which, according to the Natural Health Products Protection Association, will reduce choice, increase costs for consumers and drive businesses, investment, and product development out of Canada.
The existing regulations already keep Canadians safe. As such, Conservatives are urging all members in the House of Commons to listen to their constituents and the overwhelming amount of correspondence they receive and vote for this essential, common-sense Conservative Private Member’s Bill.
After eight years, enough is enough. It is time to undo the damage done by Bill C-47, kick out the gatekeepers and save our supplements and vitamins.
