Bill C-368 was a Private Member’s Bill introduced in 2023 to protect access to natural health products in Canada. It sought to repeal Sections 500–504 of the 2023 Budget Implementation Act No.1 (formerly Bill C-47), which reclassified natural health products as therapeutic products—subjecting them to the same regulatory framework as pharmaceutical drugs. If passed, Bill C-368 would have restored the previous regulatory approach and helped prevent overregulation, excessive fines, and the loss of trusted products.
The bill gained massive public support, with Canadians sending approximately 758,000 electronic letters to Members of Parliament calling for its passage. But when a federal election was called in 2025, all outstanding bills, including Bill C-368, died on the order paper. While this bill’s journey has ended, the NHPPA’s work continues. We remain dedicated to protecting your access to natural health products in Canada.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Why do we need another e-petition?
This registered petition closed for signatures on December 8th, 2024.
In his comprehensive brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health (HESA), Shawn Buckley, a leading legal expert on natural health products, examines the implications of Bill C-368 on Canadian health freedoms.
NHPPA launched a physical letter campaign to support getting Mr. Buckley’s brief into the hands of every Member of Parliament.
When a Canada Post strike threatened to delay our mailing campaign, NHPPA team members personally delivered 338 packages to the House of Commons mail depot in Ottawa to ensure Mr. Buckley’s brief was received on time. This hands-on effort helped keep momentum strong as the bill advanced through the Standing Committee on Health.
After successfully defeating damaging amendments, Bill C-368 has passed the committee stage and will now return to the House of Commons for the Report Stage and Third Reading. This marks a critical step forward in the legislative process, bringing the bill closer to becoming law.
During the Committee Stage the Standing Committee on Health reviewed six proposed amendments to Bill C-368 that threatened to undermine its purpose. Canadians took note! With only 7 days to act between when the amendments were proposed and when they would be voted on, we accomplished the following:
MPs heard the public’s feedback loud and clear, and voted against damaging amendments in committee. Bill C-368 will now be passed back to the House of Commons for the Report Stage and Third Reading.
Canadians sent approximately 758,000 electronic letters to Members of Parliament—requesting protection for natural health products and support for Bill C-368. This overwhelming response showed just how united and passionate we are about protecting our right to choose how we care for our health. Our actions sent a clear, undeniable message: we will stand together to protect access to natural health products in Canada.
In a significant development, a Canadian federal election was called, which means Parliament dissolved. As a result, Bill C-368 is no longer active—it died on the Order Paper. This rule applies to all bills that haven’t completed the full legislative process before an election is called, no matter how far along they are in the process. This includes Bill C-368, even though it had made significant progress.
This does not mark the end of our efforts. The NHPPA is continuously working to protect your access to natural health products.