Template For Letter To MP or MLA
Dear [official],
Over the past several months, Canadian citizens have sent hundreds of thousands of emails, letters, and postcards to Members of Parliament (MPs) across the country, expressing concerns about changes Health Canada is making to the ways Natural Health Products (NHPs) are regulated that will negatively impact the industry and all Canadians who rely on NHPs to support their health and wellbeing.
I am asking you to support a Private Member’s Bill (PMB), Bill C-368, to help undo sections 500-504 of The Budget Implementation Act, 2023, No.1 (formerly Bill C-47) that were made law in June of this year.
This letter outlines what Health Canada is doing, and a copy of the draft PMB is attached for your consideration.
Health Canada’s NHP Initiatives
As you are likely aware by now, several Health Canada initiatives threaten to decimate the natural health industry in Canada by imposing enormous new fees, commanding onerous evidence requirements, limiting label claims and the truthful information that can be shared about NHPs, and inappropriately applying Vanessa’s Law to NHPs.
It is predicted that NHP manufacturers and distributors will be driven out of business; natural health retailers will be unable to compete with lower NHP costs across the border in the United States (which can be freely imported for personal use); natural health practitioners will be restricted in the products they can recommend to their patients; and consumers will experience reduced access to NHPs, increased costs, and restriction in their freedom of choice.
Why Are These Health Canada Actions A Problem For Canadians?
Many Canadians are only alive today because of NHPs. Many more only enjoy quality of life because they manage serious health conditions with natural health products. It is reckless and dangerous to restrict access to these products. In the meantime, prices are going to skyrocket for the few remaining products. Health Canada will be responsible for people losing their livelihoods, their health and wellbeing, and in some cases their lives.
Support Bill C-368
I am asking you to support your constituents and all Canadians, as elected Members of Parliament should. I ask you to set aside your voting alignment with your respective political party. I ask you to vote with your conscience, to represent the people, and to do the right thing to correct this problem. I am asking you to uphold every Canadian citizen’s most fundamental rights and freedoms – yours and mine – to choose how we care for our health and decide what goes into our bodies.
The first step to solve the crisis facing the NHP industry is to repeal sections 500-504 of the Budget Implementation Act, 2023, No. 1 (formerly Bill C-47), and undo the time it has been law since June 22, 2023, so that no manufacturer, retailer, or practitioner can be persecuted for being open and transparent about the benefits of NHPs and subjected to $5,000,000 per day fines.
A copy of the Bill, including explanatory notes, is available from the Natural Health Products Protection Association (NHPPA) at: nhppa.org/bill-c368/
Please confirm that I can count on you to support Bill C-368 as it moves through the House of Commons, and to vote yes for Bill C-368 when the time comes.
Related Resources:
https://nhppa.org/active-campaigns/