I am writing to you as a concerned citizen regarding the recent legislative trend that involves embedding significant amendments to food and drug laws within broader budget implementation acts, such as Bill C-69, the Budget Implementation Act of 2024 No. 1. This method of legislative amendment poses substantial risks to public transparency and undermines the essential oversight functions of specialized parliamentary committees. Firstly, the practice of including non-budgetary changes—specifically those pertaining to food and drugs law—within budget bills is deeply concerning. Budget bills are typically voluminous and complex, and the inclusion of critical amendments that affect public health within these documents means that such changes may go unnoticed by the public until they are enacted. This lack of transparency is unacceptable in a democratic society, particularly when the changes involved have far-reaching implications on the health and well-being of Canadians. Furthermore, when such amendments are included in budget bills, they bypass the scrutiny of the Standing Committee on Health, the body that possesses the requisite expertise to assess the impacts of proposed changes on the health sector. Instead, these bills are reviewed by the Standing Committee on Finance, which, while proficient in economic matters, lacks the specialized knowledge necessary to evaluate the nuances and potential consequences of food and drug regulations. This procedural oversight is not just a technicality but a significant lapse in ensuring that critical health-related legislation undergoes thorough review by the most knowledgeable and appropriate bodies. The Standing Committee on Health is specifically designed to consider the complexities and specificities of health legislation, and its exclusion from the process undermines its purpose and denies the legislation the benefit of expert evaluation. Given the substantial nature of the changes contained in Division 31 of Bill C-69, which include expanded powers for Health Canada over the off-label use of drugs and the regulation of natural health products, it is imperative that these amendments are subjected to a more fitting legislative process. Such a process would ensure greater transparency, allow for expert scrutiny, and facilitate public engagement and understanding. Therefore, I urge you, as my representative in Parliament, to advocate for the removal of non-budgetary health amendments from budget bills. This change in the legislative process is crucial to maintaining the integrity of our health laws and the health of all Canadians. I also urge to advocate for the repeal of Division 31 of Bill C-39, the Budget Implementation Act of 2024 No. 1, now that it has become law. These types of amendments should be referred to the Standing Committee on Health, where they can be properly examined and debated. I trust that you will consider this matter with the seriousness it warrants and represent the concerns of your constituents by promoting transparency, expertise, and appropriate legislative scrutiny in all matters related to public health. Thank you for your attention to this crucial issue. I look forward to your support and action.

I’m writing you today because something is seriously wrong here in Canada. One would expect that changes affecting the healthcare of Canadians would be scrutinized by the Standing Committee on Health, not the Standing Committee on Finance. Yet, for the second year in a row, we allowed the Standing Committee on Finance to make decisions that affect the health of Canadians. Something is fundamentally wrong here. The recent legislative proposal and subsequent royal assent of Bill C-69, the Budget Implementation Act of 2024 No. 1, revealed a concerning trend where Health Canada is granted expansive regulatory powers, this time over both off-label drug use and natural health products. This approach poses serious threats to both the healthcare sector and the autonomy of patients. I am deeply troubled by these developments and urge a thorough review and reconsideration of where and how such critical healthcare decisions are being made. Why should my doctor or natural health practitioner be restricted in their ability to recommend off-label uses of therapeutic products? I am a unique individual, and I may have unique healthcare needs not addressed by on-label uses. The implications of Bill C-69 restricting the practice of my medical doctor or natural health practitioners extend beyond healthcare to touch upon fundamental issues of personal freedom and choice in health management. The mechanisms granted to enforce these changes—potentially imposing fines up to $5 million per day and imprisonment—underscore the severity and punitive nature of the regulatory approach being adopted. Such measures could create an environment of fear and compliance that is in direct opposition to the spirit of innovation and patient-centred care that Canada's healthcare system is already struggling to uphold. This approach not only risks compromising patient care by stifling medical innovation and limiting treatment options but also encroaches on the jurisdiction traditionally held by provinces over health, as delineated by The British North America Act of 1867. The centralization of such powers with the federal government, without sufficient checks and balances, could lead to significant legal challenges and exacerbate tensions between federal and provincial authorities over health governance. Given these concerns, I urge you to consider the broader implications of Division 31 of Bill C-69 on our healthcare system and the rights of Canadians to make informed decisions about their health treatments alongside health professionals. It is imperative that such sweeping changes be subject to more rigorous scrutiny and debate, through the Standing Committee on Health rather than the Standing Committee on Finance, to ensure that any legislative changes serve the public interest without compromising patient safety or healthcare provider autonomy. I kindly request your support in advocating for this issue within the parliamentary process, ensuring that the voices of healthcare professionals and patients alike are heard and considered. Your leadership in challenging the overreach proposed in Division 31 of Bill C-69 is crucial in safeguarding the foundational principles of our healthcare system. I expect you to advocate for Division 31 of Bill C-39, the Budget Implementation Act of 2024 No. 1, to be repealed now that it has become law. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to your support and to a health policy environment that respects the needs and rights of all Canadians.

I am writing to express my deep concerns regarding the manner in which significant amendments to Canada’s food and drug laws are being introduced through budget implementation bills, specifically referencing the recent introduction of Bill C-69, the Budget Implementation Act of 2024 No. 1. The procedural and substantive issues raised by the inclusion of such critical changes in a budget bill require urgent attention and action. By embedding amendments to the Food and Drugs Act within budget bills, there is a concerning lack of scrutiny and public oversight. The 2023 Budget (Bill C-47) exemplified this issue, where significant regulatory changes, including the reclassification of natural health products and an alarming increase in potential fines, were enacted with minimal public awareness and debate. The public backlash and engagement on this issue since has been nothing short of remarkable. Given the public’s generally negative response to Bill C-47’s effect on the regulation of natural health products, the continued practice of including non-budgetary regulatory changes in budget bills is even more concerning. This practice fundamentally undermines the democratic legislative process. Changes to food and drug law carry profound implications for public health and safety and, as such, merit careful consideration by the Standing Committee on Health, which is specifically equipped to handle the nuances and complexities of health legislation. The implications of bypassing the specialized scrutiny that the Standing Committee on Health can offer are severe. It diminishes the quality of legislative oversight and potentially compromises the efficacy and safety of healthcare practices and products available to Canadians. Furthermore, it deprives healthcare professionals and the general public of the opportunity to participate in a meaningful review and discussion of proposals that directly impact their health and professional practices. Considering these issues, I urge you to advocate for the following: 1. Discontinuation of the practice of embedding significant food and drug law amendments within budget bills, ensuring that such changes are introduced through stand-alone legislation. 2. The referral of all health-related legislative amendments to the Standing Committee on Health to ensure that they receive the necessary expert evaluation and public scrutiny. 3. Advocate for the repeal of Division 31 from Bill C-69, the Budget Implementation Act of 2024 No. 1, now that it has become law. As my elected representative, your role in ensuring that legislative processes remain transparent, accountable, and inclusive is crucial. I expect that you will oppose the bypassing of crucial legislative review and support actions that maintain our legislative integrity and protect the health and safety of all Canadians. Thank you for considering this critical issue. I look forward to your support and to seeing effective action taken in Parliament to address these concerns.