Go to http://www.inspiredlife.ca/announcements/stop_bill_c51_rally_video to watch the rally from May 10, 2008 at Queen's Park.
On April 8th, 2008, the Canadian Minister of Health introduced Bill C-51 into the House of Commons. This Bill proposes significant changes to the current Food and Drugs Act that will have wide-ranging negative implications for all Canadians. This bill has already passed second reading. It appears that our Government is trying to fast track this bill before anyone has a chance to challenge it. Bills normally take months to pass not weeks.
Currently, many of our councilors and MPPs are unaware of the details to Bill C-51. How can we, as Canadian citizens, be informed when our government representatives are not even aware?
- April 9, 2008 UPDATE: Bill C-51 has passed it's first reading
- Bill C-51 will go to second reading soon - it is believed to be scheduled on May 8 or soon after.
Visit www.inspiredlife.ca for more information and to download some posters and handouts that you can personally distribute as well as several template letters that you can sign and deliver POSTAGE FREE to the Canadian Health Minister.
Bill C-51 Will:
- Remove democratic oversight, bypassing elected officials to vote in laws and allow bureaucrats to adopt laws from other countries without our consent.
- Remove 60-70% of all Natural Health Products from Canadian stores. Many others will be available by prescription only.
- Restrict research and development of safe and natural alternatives in favour of high risk drugs.
- Punish Canadians with little or no opportunity for protection or recourse for simply speaking about or giving a natural product without the approval of government. More than 70% of people in Canada use a Natural Health Product. The new law goes so far as to warrant action against a person who would give another person an "unapproved" amount of garlic on the recommendation that it would improve that person's health.
- Allow inspectors to enter private property without consent, take your property at their discretion, dispose of your property at will, not reimburse you for your losses, seize your bank accounts, charge owners shipping and storage charges for seized property, be empowered to store your property indefinitely, and levy fines up to $5,000,000 and/or 2 years in jail per incident.
Here's what you can do to protect your rights:
- Go to www.inspiredlife.ca and find out more information about Bill C-51, download and print off template letters that you can sign and send POSTAGE FREE to the Canadian Health Minister
- Talk to your local press
- Contact your local MP (visit www.snipurl.com/localmp to find yours)
- Ask the leaders in your community to get involved
- Contact your MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly)
- Tell your Friends, Family, Neighbours & Coworkers
- Download a flyer at www.inspiredlife.ca, print if off and hand it out to everyone and everywhere
The Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Health
Minister's Office - Health Canada
Brooke Claxton Building, Tunney's Pasture
Postal Locator: 0906C
Ottawa, Ontario Canada
K1A 0K9
We, the undersigned, are very concerned about the ongoing debate on Bill C-51 (amendments to the Food & Drug Act) and the impact on natural health products.
As customers and users of natural health products, we are concerned that natural health products will be pushed further into the same laws that govern prescription drugs. The details in Bill C-51 seem to be left up to regulations. The forfeiture and seizure provisions for natural health products under Bill C-51 could be made without a warrant or judge's approval. Can you please tell us why we would want this as Canadians?
The debate surrounding Bill C-51 is an excellent opportunity for the Government to make good on previous commitments to create a third category for natural health products, which are low risk and have demonstrated benefits for the health and well-being of Canadians.
We do not oppose legislation that ensures safe and effective products for Canadians, but we do oppose legislation that treats natural health products like pharmaceuticals.
Thank you for considering our concerns.