Big Business watch: Conservative minority government seeks to sabotage Canadians having vital access to natural health products with Bill C-51

by Sandy King

Recently, our federal government has put the push on to pass Bill C-51 and while this in itself is a cause for concern, the fact that the majority of people that I come in contact with have never heard of it, is the greater issue. This is not the first time that Bill C-51 has raised its ugly head, but I hope that through public awareness and action that it will be the last.

Quite simply, Bill C-51 proposes to change the face of how, we as consumers, purchase our natural health products (NHP) - and not for the better. There would huge restrictions to where and how consumers would be able to purchase their natural health care products. However, having said this, it seems that some adjustments are being made to the Bill, due mainly to the public outcry through letters and petitions. I received a letter from my MP stating the following:

Originally, Bill C-51 stated that the opposite would be the case -- unwarranted search and seizures would be allowed with fines of up to $5 million and jail time. Whether the above is true or not, and I hope it is, this somewhat more lenient approach to our human rights (I think we still live in Canada) would not be violated. However, presenting Bill C-51 under the guise that it is for our safety and the federal government's concern is only for our well being -- well, that would be more believable if over the counter medications, cigarettes, and unsafe foods were also being addressed here.

I know we can make a difference - this is not the time to be passive. Write to your MP, sign petitions, do whatever you can to spread the word now and let the government know that Bill-C51 is wrong. Why target the natural health care product industry for our benefit without addressing the myriad of other areas that are known to be harmful to our health? Cigarettes are known carcinogens (it says so right on package) - why are they not addressing the sale of these products first if our health is truly their concern?

About the writer:

Sandy King is a Writer/Photographer, LINK. She is a member of the Professional Writers' Association of Canada.

Subscribe to RSS feeds

Become a Member:

Would you like to see other similar articles and critical commentaries in The Canadian National Newspaper? Then, show your support. Make a member-pledge donation, in support of the Membership Drive of the Pro-Democracy Media Foundation.

The Canadian can only continue to publish investigative articles in such areas, with the donations from members of the public in Canada, the U.S., and abroad. Consider making a donation of $50.00, $75.00, $100.00, $200.00 or more. Donors are eligible to receive our first collector's print edition in mail. Alternatively, you can send us a note to be placed on our special email list of members. Member-donors can also suggest articles or commentaries to be published in The Canadian.

The Canadian is a socially progressive and not-for-profit national newspaper, with an international readership. We provide an alternative to the for-profit commercial focused media, which often censors vital information and perspective of potential interest to the diverse Canadian public, and other peoples internationally.

Become a member of The Canadian, with your donation-pledge. Help support independent, progressive, and not-for-profit journalism.