Ottawa, ON – Alex Atamanenko, M.P., BC Southern Interior – “The Conservative’s Bill C-51 has caused quite an uproar within my riding”, said Atamanenko. C-51 (An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts) will affect people who use, produce and sell Natural Health Products (NHPs).
“Producers and consumers of NHPs have expressed a number of serious concerns about this bill that must be addressed before it becomes law”, stated the MP. “My office has received numerous letters and e-mails from concerned constituents about the government’s proposed changes to the Food and Drug Act, specifically Natural Health Products.
He further stated that, NHPs are a fundamental component for many who rely on them for disease prevention and treatment and one that must be preserved. “It is imperative that the distinction of natural health products be upheld during the assessment of this bill”, said Atamanenko. “The bottom line is that all of us who use NHPs must continue to have access to those products that are important to our health and lifestyle. It is not only vital to the consumer but also to our local economy and our rural communities. It could effectively mean that people could lose jobs and businesses could shut down leaving many to suffer the consequences”, stated the MP who himself is a consumer of natural health products.
Under the current flawed licensing regulations there is approximately 60 – 70% of single ingredient NHPS failing licensing approval, yet they have been sold in Canada for years. It is predicted that 80 – 90% of multi-ingredient NHPs will soon face the same flawed system with the result that these products will become illegal in Canada.
“We must continue to apply pressure on those who will be addressing this bill at the Standing Committee on Health. It is important that they get the message” concluded Atamanenko.
You may submit your concerns to the following members of the Standing Committee on Health:
Joy Smith, MP smithj@parl.gc.ca
Christiane Gagnon, MP gagnoc@parl.gc.ca
Lui Temelkovski, MP temell@parl.gc.ca
Judy Wasylycia-Leis, MP wasylj@parl.gc.ca
Carolyn Bennett, MP bennec@parl.gc.ca
Patricia Davidson, MP davidp@parl.gc.ca
Susan Kadis, MP kadiss@parl.gc.c
Robert Thibault, MP thibar@parl.gc.ca
Patrick Brown, MP brownp@parl.gc.ca
Steven Fletcher, MP fletcs@parl.gc.ca
Luc Malo, MP malol@parl.gc.ca
David Tilson, MP tilsod@parl.gc.ca