At the end of April 2023 the government of Canada introduced its budget, after going through the various stages it received royal assent June 22, 2023. At first glance nothing to be concerned about.
Of course the government has to introduce and have their budget passed. That is until one looks deeper at this bill referred to as Bill C -47 and once it clears the parliamentary process it is known as “The Budget Implementation Act” until one looks deeper at the bill which included a proposal to amend the Natural Health Products Regulations. Missing from the bill is the rational for including amending the Natural Health Products Regulations or why this provision is part of the budget. These amendments to the regulations are not debated in the house or even revealed to the public for their input. The changes are being done behind closed doors by un-elected and un-accountable, nameless bureaucrats/technocrats.
The changes delineated in Bill C-47 are disturbing to anyone that uses Natural Health Products Regulations and if implemented as the bill provides could mean the end of the health supplements for Canadians. Fortunately there is an organised push back against these changes.
One organisation is the Canadian Health Food Association. They have implemented a “SOS” program or Save our Supplements. Their web site at the links provided has more information. Their program includes a letter writing campaign and a post card campaign with post cards available at many health food stores. Letters and post cards sent to one’s federal Member of Parliament can be sent with no postage. If you do not have your MP’s mailing address you can find it here. Post cards, emails and phone calls are ways to communicate your concerns, a personal letter is the most effective way to communicate one’s concerns.2
More and more Canadians are taking responsibility for being as health as possible, are you one of them? Many feel access to Natural Health Supplements is essential to achieve and maintain optimum health.
Health Canada has asked organisations like the Canadian Health Food Association to stop asking people to send their letters and postcards. Last October or 4 months after the bill was passed this article was in the National Post “MPs receive thousands of emails, postcards over Health Canada's new rules on natural health products” Apparently they are still determined despite the public opposition to amend the regulations in a way that much of the public feels will be detrimental to their health. Keep sending the cards and letters in. Why has the opposition said and done little to raise public awareness of this issue?
Fortunately one has, Blaine Calkins MP Red Deer-Lacombe has introduced a private members Bill C-368. His bill calls for the section of the Budget Implementation Act amending the natural health products to be repealed. While one is in the letter writing mode a letter of support to Blaine will also help, especially if you cc: a copy to your MP.
If the public makes a loud enough and sustained long enough campaign to not tamper with our natural health products regulations we can stop changes. Forward this substack to your MP and your provincial representative, forward to friends and family asking them to send more cards and letters demanding the amendments not be done.
We will be having a federal election in Canada by the fall of 2025 or earlier. Make each candidate know your support of them will depend on what they will do to stop this trampling of the people’s wishes, their job is to represent the wishes of their people in the riding they purport to represent.
Government of Canada changes to the Natural Health Products Regulations