9 April 2008 - 20:19DRAFT DISCUSSION PAPER ON Bill C-51

Prepared by Shawn Buckley, president of the NHPPA

Purpose of the Paper

Yesterday the Minister of Health introduced Bill C-51 into the House of Commons. The Bill passed first reading. The following is a link to a version of the Bill:

http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=3398126&

Although this only occurred yesterday, upon our reading of the Bill it became apparent that it may have wide ranging negative implications for the Natural Health Product industry. We are of the opinion that it would be prudent to draft an initial discussion paper to be circulated to stakeholders and more importantly to other stakeholder groups to begin discussion on the issues raised in this Bill.

Need for a Broad Consensus

We feel that Bill C-51 has such broad implications for the Natural Health Product Industry that it would be prudent for all of the various stakeholder groups to collaborate to see if an industry consensus can be reached in how to approach Bill C-51. If Bill C-51 poses a threat to the industry, unless there is consensus, efforts to protect the industry will fail.

Discussion Paper Only

This is a discussion paper only and does not reflect the position of the NHPPA or of the NHPPA advisory board. The thoughts and comments are those of the author, Mr. Shawn Buckley and are intended to foster discussion.

The NHPPA will formulate its position after industry feedback.

Click here to download Complete Draft Discussion Paper on Bill C-51

Click here to download Acrobat Reader

Comments:

  1. Yi Liang says;
    28 May 2008 - 11:48

    C51 doesn’t respect average people’s right of choice the kind of food they like. The government need to understand more about natural health food.
    Oppose C51!

  2. Olga & Herb Jorda says;
    23 Jun 2008 - 9:07

    We are living proof that natural medicine works. Bill C51 must be stopped. We are happy with being able to take the type of suppliments we want, at the strength we want, and at an affordable price. We do not want to go back years in history where only the rich could afford to pay the price of health care. We do not want the pharmaceuticals to take control of mother natures patents for their own gain, money & ultimate control. Our clinics, old age homes, and hospitals are full of people who are just surviving thanks to the side effects of patented medicines. These people are enslaved by the very medicines that are supposed to help them. Our government is the sales representative for the multi national pharmaceuticals, instead of caring for the very people who they should be protecting. Do not remove our freedom to natural health care. Do not put natural medicine in the same class as illicit drugs. Give us, the citizens of Canada the benefit of the doubt that we are well informed and smarter than a doorknob.