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HOME >>ADVOCACY
On May 18, 2023, the current federal government tabled Bill C-47 in the
House of Commons, which contained a wide variety of amendments
pertaining to the recent budget. Because this was a budget item,
it took some time for groups like our Political Action committee to recognize
the import of some of this proposed legislation. A month later,
the Bill passed as the Budget Implementation Act, 2023 No. 1,
having received royal assent on June 22, 2023.
Specifically, one section of C-47 -- Division 27, Sections 500-504 -- is
of particular concern to Canadian Society of Homeopaths and most
Canadians with an interest in Natural Health Products (NHP). This
section is based on Health Canada's proposal to amend the definition of
"therapeutic product" in the Food and Drugs Act (FDA) that
removes the existing exemption for Natural Health Products -- including
homeopathics -- within the meaning of the Natural Health Products
Regulations. The result has altered existing provisions of the Food
and Drugs Act dealing with therapeutic products so that Natural Health
Products are now regulated equally with prescription drugs.
Background
Since 2008, Canadian Society of Homeopaths has
supported the approach of lawyer, Shawn Buckley and Natural
Health Products Protection Association (NHPPA) with issues
affecting homeopathic remedies, Natural Health Products, and Health Canada.
Our main concern is that our efforts with NHPPA not lose focus on homeopathy
and homeopathic remedies as we support the full spectrum of Natural Health
Products.
At this time we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the NHPPA’s Discussion
paper and then take action in whatever way you feel best
represents your situation.
What Can You Do Right Now?
A. Inundate Ottawa with Mail
CSH recommends that our members join the campaign to create
a tsunami of physical mail that will inundate the offices of Members
of Parliament and other bureaucrats in Ottawa. We ask our
members and all others with an interest in homeopathy
and Natural Health Products (NHP) to commit to mailing one letter
per week to elected representatives in Parliament.
Your letters
can be addressed to their Ottawa office (no postage required)
or their local constituency office (requiring postage).
Canadian Society of Homeopaths has developed a
format HERE for all you need to know about
how to write and send letters to your federal elected
representatives. NHPPA also has a number of
suggestions HERE
for how to make your submission more effective.
For those with an interest in homeopathy, we encourage you
to specify this interest, as well as your interest in NHP. Our
suggestions for you when letter-writing is to emphasize the
following 3 points:
1. Clearly state why homeopathic remedies and Natural
Health Products are important to you.
2. Clearly explain what you are concerned about
(including the new definition of “therapeutic products” and effects of increasing fees).
3. Clearly state what you want this person to do for you,
including "Repeal Sections 500-504 of C-47” and “Reject
all consideration of increasing fees to manufacturers and importers". Do
not ask for them to simply address your concerns as this can be
open to interpretation.
B. Respond to Health Canada’s Online Consultation on Proposed Fees
for Natural Health Products
Health Canada has opened consultation on proposed new fees for Natural
Health Products - the "cost recovery" stage of their plan.
See HERE.
These fees will be imposed on the manufacturers and importers of NHPs and
will have a serious impact on both the industry and consumers. The
deadline for submissions has been extended to August 10.
To read the full cost recovery proposal click HERE.
Access the online consultation form HERE.
Our suggestions for responding to this consultation include those listed above
under A. Inundate Ottawa with Mail. Remember to include
your interest in homeopathy and your clear instructions about what you want
Health Canada to do about your concerns.
As you will note on the NHPPA site, there are many varied courses of action
that can be taken. However, we do not want to overwhelm anyone, so
at this time we are limiting our suggestions. We do expect to have more
input during the coming months, which we will share on
our website and through e-blasts
to our members. To paraphrase Shawn Buckley, Don’t panic.
This is just the beginning of a long process to successfully reverse political decisions
that will seriously harm our access to homeopathic and natural health
products. Be positive, learn what’s going on, commit yourself to
begin action. We will succeed!
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FIND A HOMEOPATH
CSH members join a 2008 rally
to oppose federal government legislation, which eventually
was
suspended.
HOMEOPATHY
IN THE NEWS
The following links
contain a selection of articles
published online
that
feature news and
commentary on
homeopathy:
2020 - 2024
2015 - 2019
2010 - 2014
2005 - 2009
HOMEOPATHY:
It Works for Me!
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by CSH members
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