Drawing government attention. Through citizen pushback, pressure groups or the courts. In all cases it’s an action that can change a decision-making process to address a threat. On October 17, 2018 Shawn Buckley’s recorded talk (78 minute watch), “Health Canada’s Upcoming Over-Regulation of NHPs”, for Citizens for Choice in Health Care (CCHC) in Edmonton, Alberta. Shawn shared examples of natural health product (NHP) losses when Health Canada suddenly removed NHPs from stores and made it illegal to access them. Real stories of panic and deep suffering when treatments people rely on for well-being are taken away. These experiences can become the foundation of witness testimony in court. They demonstrate that Health Canada could do more harm to people’s lives when they remove these products from the market. Natural remedies that people relied on for their health are no longer accessible in Canada. These court battles represent fighting for everyone’s rights.
In the market sector, Heath Canada will bring in administrative monetary penalties. This will allow Health Canada to fine natural health companies without the involvement of courts. Shawn predicts that most of the natural health industry will be lulled into a false sense of security until it is too late. Health Canada’s proposed three-stage implementation of changes present a classic case of boiling the frog slowly. By the time standards of evidence become harmonized it will be too late. Everyone who takes or sells NHPs will be affected.
Imagine your favourite products no longer on stores shelves. No longer available from your practitioner. Raise your voice and take action now. Tell your MP this is unacceptable and you want your rights and freedoms consistent with the law the courts say we have. It is easier to stop these changes now than to get new laws repealed once passed–a time when it will be too late for many.
Discussion Paper | Repeal of NHP Regs — Renegotiating our Surrender
