A Conservative MP is pushing for Parliament to reverse the changes implemented by the Liberals last year, which brought natural health products under the same regulations as pharmaceuticals.
The new regulations empower Health Canada to require stores to remove products like supplements and homeopathic medicines from their shelves if they pose a health risk. Companies that fail to comply with the regulations may face larger fines.
Alberta Conservative MP Blaine Calkins is advocating for a complete reversal of these changes through a private member’s bill currently under review by the House of Commons health committee.
Calkins argues that the changes were not adequately scrutinized when they were passed into law because the Liberals included them in a comprehensive budget bill. He believes that these changes increase costs for consumers and stifle innovation in the natural health products industry.
Calkins’ bill successfully passed the second reading with support from both the NDP and the Bloc Québécois.
Health Minister Mark Holland expressed opposition to reversing the changes, stating that it would endanger the health of Canadian consumers.
In a recent interview, Calkins criticized the government for introducing these changes discreetly within a budget bill without proper debate. He emphasized that the industry was unaware of the changes until after the bill had already become law.
Calkins suggested that if the Liberals identified issues with the existing regulations, they should have consulted the industry before making significant changes.
NDP House leader Peter Julian condemned the government’s use of an omnibus bill to enact regulatory changes, deeming it unacceptable. The NDP is currently examining the issue and may propose amendments to Calkins’ bill during the committee review.
