As a Canadian citizen invested in preserving our health freedoms, I am reaching out to convey my ongoing concern over the recent changes embedded within Bill C-47, Canada’s 2023 Budget Bill. Sections 500-504 of this bill reclassify natural health products (NHPs) as therapeutic products, alongside chemical drugs. This subjects the entire industry to heightened regulation and excessive penalties, with potential fines reaching up to $5,000,000 per day. This change in classification significantly impacts how NHPs are managed in Canada. Treating NHPs the same as drugs threatens Canadians' rights to make informed choices for our health and well-being. While Health Canada’s Self-Care Framework (SCF) initially signalled these changes, Bill C-47 has accelerated the implementation of this shift, placing restrictive measures on NHPs that Canadians – like me – value for their unique benefits. By subjecting NHPs to the same standards as chemical drugs, this legislation risks limiting access to products that Canadians have long trusted to support their health naturally. The Natural Health Product Protection Association (NHPPA) aptly frames the issue: “Do Canadians have sovereignty over their own bodies? Do Canadians have the right to have access to NHPs?” This question of autonomy is vital. Since the 1990s, Canadians have expressed concerns about similar reclassification attempts, strongly opposing the idea that NHPs should be more heavily regulated. Yet, with Bill C-47, the public’s demand for accessible NHPs has been disregarded. Bill C-368 is a proposed amendment to the Food and Drugs Act that seeks to remove natural health products (NHPs) from the therapeutic products category, restoring them to their previous regulatory status. This bill is currently under study by the Standing Committee on Health as part of ongoing efforts to evaluate the impact of recent regulatory changes on Canadians' access to NHPs. Soon, you will be asked to participate in the Report Stage and vote on the Third Reading of this bill to help determine if it will proceed to review in the Senate. I ask that you review the NHPPA’s submission by Shawn Buckley to the Standing Committee on Health in support of Bill C-368. The brief argues that Bill C-368 is essential for protecting Canadians' right to access natural health products without the restrictive oversight imposed by recent changes in Bill C-47. Mr. Buckley outlines the decades-long pushback from Canadians when similar regulatory changes have been proposed. He further emphasizes that Health Canada’s reclassification of NHPs as therapeutic products undermines Canadians' health sovereignty and introduces excessive regulatory powers and penalties that could harm the natural health community. You can access a copy of the brief here: nhppa.org/bill-C368/HESA-2024 I expect you to represent me by supporting Bill C-368 through the Report Stage and Third Reading. Thank you for your attention to this important issue.

As an engaged Canadian citizen, I am reaching out to share my deep concern about the recent changes introduced in Bill C-47, which have significant implications as it relates to Canadians’ ability to access natural health products (NHPs). I have continued to follow Bill C-368’s progress through Parliament, and I believe it is a crucial step toward reinstating the balanced regulatory framework that Canadians need. Sections 500-504 of Bill C-47 classified NHPs under the same regulatory category as chemical drugs, exposing the entire industry to heavy regulations and steep penalties—up to $5,000,000 per day. This reclassification poses a substantial threat to citizens and natural health businesses across Canada, many of which cannot afford the high costs or financial risk associated with these new standards. The changes in Bill C-47 not only limit consumer choice but also risk dismantling the health freedom Canadians have fought to preserve through years of advocacy and reform. For countless Canadians, NHPs provide safe and affordable options for wellness and self-care, distinct from pharmaceutical drugs. By treating NHPs as therapeutic products, Bill C-47 places an undue regulatory burden on small, community-based companies that lack the resources of large pharmaceutical corporations. Without adjustments to this legislation, Canadians’ access to these valued health products will be severely restricted, limiting our ability to make informed and independent health decisions. I urge you to review constitutional lawyer, Shawn Buckley’s, recent brief to the Standing Committee on Health in support of Bill C-368, available here: nhppa.org/bill-C368/HESA-2024 Bill C-368 seeks to repeal Sections 500-504 of Bill C-47 (now known as the Budget Implementation Act, 2023, No. 1) and would restore the regulatory distinction between NHPs and chemical drugs – a first step to ensure that Canadians continue to have access to safe and trusted natural health products free from the excessive barriers introduced by Bill C-47. We need leaders who are willing to protect our right to make health choices that align with our personal values and needs. I ask you to represent me by supporting Bill C-368 through the Report Stage and Third Reading.

As a Canadian citizen who values health sovereignty, I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the recent regulatory changes introduced in Bill C-47, which have significant implications for Natural Health Products (NHPs) across Canada. I am following the progress of Bill C-368 closely, as it represents a critical opportunity to help safeguard Canadians’ rights to make personal choices about managing our health. Sections 500-504 of Bill C-47 classify NHPs as therapeutic products, subjecting them to the same strict regulations as pharmaceutical drugs. This change in classification threatens to severely limit access to NHPs, which many Canadians rely on as accessible and affordable health solutions. For decades, Canadians have voiced their preference for a regulatory framework that respects the unique safety profile of NHPs, yet Bill C-47 ignores this, prioritizing restrictions that could cause these trusted products to disappear from our shelves. Shawn Buckley, a constitutional lawyer with over 30 years of experience in natural health product regulation, summarizes the issue well: “There is no account of the danger of removing NHPs Canadians are successfully using to manage serious health conditions.” For many, NHPs offer effective health solutions that pharmaceuticals may not, and this new regulatory approach fails to consider the unique benefits of NHPs. Unlike chemical drugs, NHPs have a long history of safe use, and Canadians have made it clear since 1997 that they want increased access to these products—not tighter restrictions. I urge you to review the recent Brief submitted by Shawn Buckley to the Standing Committee on Health in support of Bill C-368, available here: nhppa.org/bill-C368/HESA-2024 Bill C-368 seeks to re-establish the regulatory distinction between NHPs and pharmaceutical drugs, helping to maintain Canadians’ right to choose natural health products that align with personal health needs. Bill C-368 is currently being studied by the Standing Committee on Health. In the near future, you will have the opportunity to participate in the Report Stage and cast your vote in the Third Reading, which will decide if the bill advances to the Senate for further consideration. As your constituent, I urge you to represent my views by supporting Bill C-368 through these critical stages.