NHPPA.org

Debating with Health Canada May 14/13

Admin — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:08:32 +0000

FOLLOWING THE CONTROVERSY?

Shawn Buckley has recently drafted an assessment of the exchange.

Over the last few months two debates have sprung up in the media, as a result of Health Canada employees taking exception to articles which lay bare the current crisis in the natural health community. Shawn Buckley has now written an overview and reply to both.

First, Adam Gibson’s Letter to the Editor “Crying Wolf” was printed in Alive Magazine in response to Shawn’s article “Safe or Unsafe?”

Then, Dr. Rona’s Letter to Alive Magazine’s editor “Noisy Spin Control” went to print to oppose statements made by Adam Gibson and in defense of Shawn and the NHPPA.

As if this was not already an excellent volley, Dr. Gifford-Jones’ Toronto Sun article “Health Canada: Where are the dead bodies?” was met with a response by Scott Sawler and published directly on Health Canada’s website.

Both replies are similar and use figures which evade the issues at hand, but what’s important is that Health Canada’s NHPD entered the debate!

We sincerely hope that the conversation will move from mere contradiction to a considered analysis of the issues over time.

We have been posting the articles, letters and replies on the NHPPA FaceBook page as they have come out. However, since the stories are intertwined and ongoing, we thought it was time for a summary.

An excerpt from Shawn’s overview, “I don’t think that any of us expect Health Canada to agree with concerns on how they regulate natural health products. At the same time, I would rather have them stay silent than to use a canned argument that is misleading and does not address the concerns raised. These are important issues and we cannot arrive at the best regulatory environment for natural products unless we honestly and fairly debate legitimate concerns and issues.”

Read Shawn’s complete overview.

New NHPPA T-Shirts. Order Yours Today! Apr 23/13

Admin — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:16:55 +0000

Wear your opinion! Educate the public about the NHP Regulations in a fun and provocative way. All statements are fully referenced, of course!

The NHPPA has released three new T-Shirts that will have your back read at coffee shop line-ups across Canada. Produced with a professional, durable heat transfer technology, they were made for the 2013 Total Health Show to help the NHPPA fundraise. They can be ordered in a medium or large size. Order by emailing info@nhppa.org with the quantity you’d like. Each T-Shirt is $25 plus shipping and handling charges. T-Shirts are 100% pre-shrunk heavy cotton.

GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT

The back reads, ”Despite the fact that there have been zero recorded deaths from consumption of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, herbal remedies, or amino acid supplements, Health Canada continues a very aggressive approach to regulating NHPs, treating them as if they were the most toxic of all substances on the open market.” ~ Zoltan Rona, MD, M.Sc.

This is a direct quote from Zoltan Rona’s recent article featured in Vitality Magazine entitled ”Government Protects Drugs While It Seizes Natural Health Products. Part II: Drug and Vaccine Scandals.”

CLICK HERE to read the full article.

BAN PEANUT BUTTER

The back reads, “We know that Canadians, mostly children, die every year from nut allergies by eating things such as peanut butter. Compared to every natural health product on the market, peanut butter is significantly more dangerous. However, peanut butter is not dangerous enough for us to support spending hundreds of millions of dollars to set up a separate directorate to protect us. As wasteful as a Health Canada Peanut Butter Directorate would be, ironically it could save the odd life. Unfortunately, my fear is that NHP Directorate is actually going to cost lives.” ~ Shawn Buckley, LLB

CLICK HERE to learn more and to watch Shawn Buckley highlight the relative risks between peanut butter and Natural health Products.

BAN LIGHTNING

The back reads, “A recent study shows the risk of mortality from taking vitamin food supplements is actually far less than the chance of being struck by lightning. In fact, you are 26–68 times more likely to be struck by lightning that will cause death than being harmed by a natural health product. If Health Canada is sincere about protecting Canadians, it could start by addressing the 10,000 pharma deaths a year in Canada due to drug dosage errors and adverse reactions.” ~ Alliance for Natural Health Europe

This comes from an article by the Alliance for Natural Health Europe entitled “ANH Exclusive! Official EU data indicate lightning more likely to kill than herbs or vitamins.”

CLICK HERE to read the full article.

NHPPA at The Total Health Show and Response from Shawn’s Alive Articles Mar 25/13

Admin — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:23:03 +0000

NHPPA GEARS UP FOR THEIR 5^TH SUCCESSFUL YEAR AT TORONTO’S TOTAL HEALTH SHOW AND ASKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT TO GET US THERE!

We are always delighted when a stand or booth is funded by a supporter to allow us to attend exhibitions. This has happened again this year and we are truly grateful on behalf of the entire natural health community. We are calling out to our supporters to assist with the final $2,200.00 needed for us to come in fully on budget for this event. Please read about NHPPA’s attendance and help us continue to reach as many people as possible.

CLICK HERE to read more about our work at the show and consider a contribution.

THE LECTURE THAT MUST BE REPEATED

Learn more about Shawn Buckley’s latest lecture on Food Safety and how it drew a standing room only crowd at the Whole Life Expo (Nov ’12), giving the Directors of the Total Health Show strong reason to book Shawn for two repeat presentations!

Shawn was offered the space to write three articles in Alive Magazine over the past few months, one which drew the attention of the Acting Director General of the NHPD. Links to all three articles, the Letter to the Editor from Adam Gibson (NHPD) and a response from noted medical doctor Zoltan Rona, that went viral throughout Canada’s natural health community in support of Shawn and the NHPPA’s position.

REGULAR NEWS ON FACEBOOK

We will continue to send out our E-blasts as a monthly ‘digest’ of events, and post on our website, so if you enjoy receiving news from us in this way you need do nothing at all. If you’d like news as it happens and to join the conversation be sure to ‘like’ our Facebook page.

Shawn’s New Article in Alive Magazine: The Charter of Health Freedom Mar 1/13

Admin — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 18:06:09 +0000

THE CHARTER OF HEALTH FREEDOM: BALANCING NATURAL HEALTH PRODUCT ACCESS WITH SAFETY

To the aware observer there is a disconnect between Canadians and their government over natural health. More and more Canadians are embracing natural health products while the federal government is taking more and more of them away.

Removal of necessary products

Most consumers take natural health products to stay healthy. However, for some, natural health products are necessary to treat serious illness. When I lecture across Canada I constantly hear the same story. People explain they suffered with a serious illness. They took prescribed drugs which either did not work for them or the side effects were too severe. They found a natural remedy and are well. Access to natural health products is necessary for their health. My father is one of them.

READ MORE at Alive Magazine

Requesting a National Moment of Silence E-Letter to Stephen Harper Feb 19/13

Admin — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 01:32:47 +0000

Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2013 4:27 PM
To: pm@pm.gc.ca
Cc: Bernard.Trottier@parl.gc.ca; Ted.Opitz@parl.gc.ca; kirsty.duncan@parl.gc.ca;
terence.young@parl.gc.ca; james.lunney@parl.gc.ca; colin.carrie@parl.gc.ca
Subject: Requesting a National Moment of Silence for the Massacre of a Billion+ Tax Dollars

Written by: Raffi Nacachian [Ontario]

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

At a time when financial austerity is of paramount importance, I find it extremely discouraging to see the current government continuing to make the same mistakes of its Liberal predecessors.

When it comes to protecting the public, the NHP regulations are greater demolition of taxpayer money than the “wasteful and ineffective” (to quote you) failed $2.7 billion long gun registry – which was originally promised to protect taxpayers from gun violence at a mere $2 million cost. Unlike guns, NHP’s have an impeccable safety record. It begs the question: Why is government continuing to waste taxpayer money on suffocating regulations for products that receive no drug style government consumption or marketing subsidies? Further, recognizing NHP’s provide relief to Canada’s overburdened public health care system – why is the government not marketing them in the same fashion they over-promote the flu, H1N1 or HPV vaccine?

CLICK HERE to read more

Health Action Magazine: John Biggs on Health Canada’s Refusal to License Nattokinase Feb 3/13

Admin — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 23:09:23 +0000

ANOTHER LOW-RISK, EFFECTIVE NHP DENIED

The current issue of Health Action Magazine contains the most recent information on Health Canada’s latest target in an article by John Biggs. As a health store owner, natural health expert, researcher and writer, John is ideally placed to analyze the situation and explain the illogical justifications for removing yet another safe, useful and popular supplement from Canadian shelves.

“The real issue does not seem to be safety, but that nattokinase competes too effectively against pharmaceuticals…all of which have caused death.”

This piece is written in the form of a sample letter to your MP.

CLICK HERE for the full article.

Please read it, consider re-printing and send it to your MP.

CLICK HERE to enter your postcode and find out which MP represents your riding.

CLICK HERE for advice and guidance if you have not written to your MP before.

As the products we rely on for our health and wellbeing keep disappearing from our shelves, the situation becomes ever more urgent. Whether nattokinase is a personal loss to you or not, Health Canada’s needless refusal to allow it a licence will force thousands of individuals onto chemical pharmaceuticals against their will.

This has to stop. It’s time to tell your MP that your vote depends on it.

Charter of Health Freedom Petition Update Jan 30/13

Admin — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 01:48:37 +0000

Since our last update in August, you have sent us 1100 unique, new signatures from Canadian citizens who are outraged by the ever-increasing attack on products we rely on for our health and wellbeing. We know that many of you are working hard to distribute petition sheets to your networks and we truly value the hard work and education represented by every upclick in numbers.

As of today, the NHPPA has 89,438 petition signatures.

This month we’re asking:

Is it big enough to make a difference yet?

What more can you do?

Who is listening?

CLICK HERE to read more

PAPER VS ONLINE PETITIONS

You may be interested to hear that the NHPPA has on-going conversations with the Parliament of Canada regarding Paper vs Online petitions. Late last year we had a conversation with the Clerk of Petitions.

CLICK HERE to read more

Happy New Year! Dec 31/2012

Admin — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 23:08:25 +0000

NHPPA at the Whole Life Expo Dec 21/12

Admin — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 23:34:29 +0000

NEW LECTURE NOW ON-LINE

Today, we have had both the alleged apocalypse, and the shortest day of the year, come and go.

Tonight, we also finally give you the link to watch NHPPA’s latest lecture presented by Shawn Buckley from Toronto’s 2012 Whole Life Expo.

Delivered on Sunday November 11 2012 to a capacity crowd, Shawn talks about the shocking changes now in effect with the passing of Bill C-38. Known as the omnibus budget bill, it contained changes to 70 laws in one massive document passed by Parliament this summer. Learn what safeguards have been erased and how you will no longer be able to tell if your food is safe.

Following the video, check out the photographs of our activities over the weekend.

Thank you, everyone. Our regular donations coupled with the financial support ask we sent out last month, made it possible for us to attend the show. Special thanks to each of our returning and new NHPPA volunteers who took time out of their weekend to support the team and the movement. To all of the Whole Life Expo visitors, both public and industry, a sincere thank you.

CLICK HERE to go to NHPPA’s website page where you will find the player to watch this 60 minute video recording.

Shawn’s New Article in Alive Magazine: Safe or Unsafe Dec 1/12

Admin — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 23:47:50 +0000

NEW ARTICLE IN ALIVE MAGAZINE

SAFE OR UNSAFE? CANADA’S RISKY NATURAL HEALTH PRODUCTS REGULATIONS

In his article, Safe or Unsafe?, Shawn Buckley tells the tale of Geri, a woman who has lived with breast cancer for 25 years, and who attributes her longevity to Natural Health Products (NHPs). ‘Upon assumption of danger’, NHPs that Canadian citizens depend on for their health and wellbeing are being systematically removed from store shelves. As catalogued to date, over 20,000 foreign products, including some that have been used safely for centuries, are no longer available to stores in Canada. Shawn relates that Geri: “…truly cannot understand why a natural remedy she relies on to stay alive is being taken away from her. She certainly does not feel protected or safe because of the regulations.”

The NHPPA was thrilled to be offered space in one of Canada’s most respected and widely circulated natural health magazines to let readers know about the The Charter of Health Freedom! Close to 200,000 citizens will pick up the print version of Alive in one of 900 stores across the country and learn about “a proactive law which, while giving the Government more teeth to address real dangers, would also require a balancing between an individual’s need for a remedy and the State’s goal of addressing real risks.”

The harm the current regulations are causing is no longer an academic question. The regulations are impacting real people like you and I.

Shawn calls us all to action in the article:

Make a difference by:

educating yourself
supporting groups working to protect natural remedies
signing the petition for the Charter of Health Freedom
writing to your MP and the prime minister about your concerns

CLICK HERE to read Shawn Buckley’s article Safe or Unsafe? published in Alive Magazine (Dec 2012)

CLICK HERE to go to an interactive explanation of the Charter of Health Freedom