Private Member’s Bill C-368

To Repeal Bill C-47, Sections 500-504

A Major Advancement

We are thrilled to announce that Private Member’s Bill, Bill C-368 has officially passed Second Reading after receiving a majority vote in the House of Commons on May 29, 2024! It’s important for you to know that very few Bills make it through Second Reading. This achievement is perhaps a bigger win than you understand, and is ALL thanks to the hard work of individual Canadians. Bill C-368 will now be studied by the Standing Committee on Health this fall.

What Is A Private Member’s Bill

A Private Member’s Bill is a Bill that can be introduced by any Member of Parliament that is not a Member of the Cabinet. After a Bill is introduced to Parliament, the Bill will be debated and voted on by other Members of Parliament, becoming law if it garners sufficient support. This Bill is a draft law.

Why Is This Private Member’s Bill So Important?

In the fall of 2023, Shawn Buckley consulted on the drafting of this Private Member’s Bill to repeal Sections 500-504 of the Budget Implementation Act, 2023, No. 1 (formerly Bill C-47). As you may know, these sections, embedded within the annual budget bill, redefine natural health products and subject the entire industry to heightened regulation and excessive fines up to $5,000,000 per day, by moving them fully into the therapeutic products category, alongside chemical drugs.

Exciting Updates

We are keeping you up-to-date, and support this Private Members Bill as it moves through the Parliamentary process. Watch the two-minute video below to learn more about the Bill.

First Reading: December 5, 2023

After consultation with Shawn Buckley, on Tuesday December 5, 2023, MP Blaine Calkins of Red Deer—Lacombe, Alberta, took a decisive stand in support of our cause and officially tabled a Private Member’s Bill to repeal sections 500-504 of Bill C-47 in the House of Commons. The Bill was seconded by MP Brad Vis, and given the official Bill number C-368.

This action by MPs Calkins and Vis effectively amplifies our voices, champions the cause for the natural health industry, and acts in the interests of every Canadian citizen that relies on natural health products to care for their health and well-being.

Check out our 1.5 minute video of the introduction of the Bill in the House of Commons.

E-petition Registered with the House of Commons: April 3, 2024

Our journey to protect natural health products in Canada has reached an exciting juncture. An e-petition was registered with the House of Commons, echoing the NHPPA’s e-petition and championing the same vital cause—supporting Bill C-368.

Signing the registered e-petition is not just a signature; it’s a declaration of our collective determination to maintain our health freedoms and access to natural health products. Over 12,000 Canadians signed this e-petition.

300,000 Electronic Letters Sent to MPs: April 9, 2024

We passed an exciting milestone! We’ve already made waves with over 300,000 electronic letters supporting Bill C-368 sent to our MPs! The sheer volume of correspondence sent shows the incredible power we hold when we unite for our health and the freedom to choose how we care for it.

Our actions are an unmistakable statement that we stand together to protect access to natural health products in Canada.

Sending an electronic letter to Members of Parliament takes less than a minute, but it could make a lifetime of difference. Ensure your voice is heard loud and clear in the halls of power.

Act now, by sending an electronic letter in support of Bill C-368, and be a part of shaping a healthier future for all Canadians.

Second Reading, First Hour of Debate: April 29, 2024

Bill C-368 has the potential to profoundly impact Canada’s natural health product industry and your access to these products.

The bill’s second reading in the House of Commons began on April 29, 2024, with the first of two one-hour-long debates on the bill’s merit. MPs from the Conservative, NDP, and Bloc Québécois parties all expressed strong support. They emphasized the importance of preserving the $3 billion industry, which employs 54,000 Canadians and generates $150 million in GST revenue annually. MPs also criticized the new regulatory framework, warning it would lead to fewer products at higher prices and disproportionately harm women.

Catch the highlights in our 5-minute video that explores key moments from Bill C-368’s second reading and how it affects the natural health sector.

Second Reading, Second Hour of Debate: May 22, 2024

As a reminder, the first hour of debate took place on April 29 and MPs from the Conservative, NDP, and Bloc Québécois parties all expressed strong support.

Members of Parliament will engage in the final hour of debate on the merits of Bill C-368, which will be followed by a decisive vote the following week on May 29th. A ‘yes’ from the majority of MPs means it moves forward to the Standing Committee on Health for thorough review and discussion.

Although Parliamentary business can shift, the second hour of debate and vote is now scheduled for Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 5:30 pm ET. You can watch the May 22nd debate live on the House of Commons website.

In the short time we have left until the vote, keep sending your Members of Parliament electronic letters in support of Bill C-368.

Second Reading Vote: May 29, 2024

We are thrilled to announce that Bill C-368 has officially passed Second Reading after receiving a majority vote in the House of Commons!

We are grateful for the support from the Bloc Québecois, Conservative, NDP and Green Party members who voted in favour of Bill C-368. Despite the Liberal party voting against it, we still secured the majority needed to pass the Bill.

This is a massive win! It’s important for you to know that very few Bills make it through Second Reading. This achievement is perhaps a bigger win than you may even realize, and it is ALL thanks to your hard work!

But the process of passing Bill C-368 is not over. To ensure the continued success of Bill C-368, we encourage you to continue directing communications towards the 12 members on the Standing Committee on Health.

Keep the pressure up by sending another electronic letter to committee members!

NHPPA's E-petition Registered with the House of Commons: September 9, 2024

Why do we need another e-petition?

  1. Drafted By NHPPA: ​The previous petition was, no doubt, helpful and beneficial, and we appreciate everyone who took part in that initiative this spring. This new petition has been carefully crafted by NHPPA to ensure that the language aligns with our mission to protect the natural health industry, encompassing as many stakeholder viewpoints as possible—from retailers to manufacturers, and practitioners to citizens.
  2. Strategic Timing: ​E-petitions in Canada can only be presented in the House of Commons once they’ve closed. This means that the timing of when a petition is registered and closed is critical. We’ve strategically registered this petition to ensure it will close before Parliament recesses for the winter break, giving the petition maximum impact when Bill C-368 is under consideration this fall.
  3. Maximum Impact:​ An e-petition not only amplifies the voices of concerned citizens but also keeps the issue front and centre as it moves through the legislative process. When a petition is tabled while a bill is under study by the Standing Committee on Health, it can influence committee discussions by showing tangible public concern and engagement. With Bill C-368 on the committee table, our new petition can serve as a critical tool in swaying decision-makers toward a more favourable outcome for the natural health industry.

Sign the registered e-petition

Take Action Today!

There are three ways for you to get involved with NHPPA and support Bill C-368:

01

Sign our e-petition

Sign our registered e-petition to support Bill C-368 as it moves through Parliamentary.

02

Send an electronic letter

Send an electronic letter to your MP and others in support of Bill C-368

03

Send physical letters

Choose the letter that resonates most with you… or you can send multiple letters!

How To Send A Physical Letter To MPs

Copies of PDF form letters are available to download at the bottom of this page.

1. Print a copy of one of our MP letters, or draft your own.

We have provided four form letter options below.

However, if you have the capacity to write your own letter, in your own words, we strongly encourage you to do so. Personalized letters hold much more weight with our MPs.

2. Send your letter to the 12 members of the Standing Committee on Health.

The 12 Members of Parliament that make up the Standing Committee on Health represent all Canadians as they study issues that relate to health. You can find their contact information here:
Standing Committee on Health Members

At the link above, click the individual MP’s photo, and then select the “Contact” toggle to view their address.

3. Look up your MP’s constituency address.

It is important to send a letter to your MP at both their House of Commons address and their Constituency Office. You can find their Constituency Office here:
House of Commons Current Members of Parliament.

4. Send even more letters!

If you’re willing, you can also mail your letter to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Health. Actually, you don’t have to stop mailing letters… you could even send your letter to all 338 MPs.

Resources

MP Letter Supporting Bill C-368, Option 1
PDF Download

MP Letter Supporting Bill C-368, Option 2
PDF Download

MP Letter Supporting Bill C-368, Option 3
PDF Download

MP Letter Supporting Bill C-368, Option 4
PDF Download

Bill C-368, English and French
PDF Download

Draft Private Member’s Bill with Notes
PDF Download