Bill C-51

Draft Discussion Paper on Bill C-51

Prepared by Shawn Buckley, president of the Natural Health Products Protection Association on April 9, 2008.

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. P. Thomas says;
    02 Jun 2008 - 9:06

    I am against Bill C-51. Is there a national website to go to and sign up againist this bill?

  2. Gita Varma says;
    03 Jun 2008 - 15:12

    I am an advocate of natural health products. Since beginning to seriously use these products several months ago along with conventional health care, I have been able to strengthen and improve my overall health. I do believe that it is my business what I decide to do for my health benefit. I am gainst regulation of natural health products.

  3. Sue says;
    10 Jun 2008 - 7:52

    There is a website that has a petition that can be signed…..I’m not sure of it’s strength as a whole, but it’s a start. Next to that – get the word out! The majority of people not in the natural health industry who are not even aware of what it is that’s going on. This is the way government works – we all find out after it’s too late. We must take our lives into our own hands and say no to this!

  4. chris says;
    10 Jun 2008 - 9:32

    i am in full support of natural products, after visiting the doctor for several years with stomach pains and many more symptoms he would always state “there is nothing there”.

    i finally found out that i had candida through a natural website, after i used their natural products i am finally back to normal!

    i am fed up with seeing doctors who write perscriptions without telling you what is in the pill or what side effects they have. why isn’t the ingredients printed on a doctors pill bottles like it is on natural products????

    let us stand up against bill c51 and bill c52

  5. janice lance says;
    12 Jun 2008 - 13:01

    I find this outrageous, How could a government do this ??? Who is going to gain?? Not the average person that is for sure!!!
    The pharmaceuticals have way way too much power, they run the government!
    And I would like to know why????