In a recent CBC News clip titled “Backlash Grows Over New Regulations For Natural Health Products”, Health Canada’s chief medical advisor Dr. Supriya Sharma, claims that Health Canada has “no intention to stop the sale of, restrict access of, or ban any natural health products”. Yet small business owners like Wajihia Qureshi, pictured above, manager of Nutrition House a natural health store in Ottawa’s Carlingwood Mall, are bracing for a 20 to 25 percent price increase on products and the subsequent loss of many customers. It’s important to note that whether you can’t locate natural health products, or you can’t afford them, the outcome is the same… you don’t have access.
Health Canada’s proposed intentions behind these initiatives are inconsequential, their ACTIONS and the OUTCOMES are what we are focused on. If we allow Health Canada to carry out their initiatives, the results will be reduced access to natural health products, the loss of many businesses, and yet another strike at our freedom and body sovereignty.
As Don Davies, NDP MP for Vancouver Kingsway says “we should not hesitate to tell Health Canada to go back to the drawing board”. We agree—and have already done the work for them. The Charter of Health Freedom is proposed legislation that gives Natural Health Products and Practices their own Act, and was developed specifically to protect natural health products, practices, and the Canadian citizens who use them. Enacting the Charter of Health Freedom as law is one of NHPPA’s five current campaign goals.
