CFI joins allies in call to support Bill C51: An Act to Amend the Food and Drug Act
June 18, 2008
The Centre for Inquiry, the Ottawa Skeptics and Skeptics Canada are working together on a pro Bill C51 lobby. There are a number of upcoming "educational" panels, rallies and other events planned by the anti-Bill C51 organizations, such as the Natural Health Coalition.
Bill C51 is an important step towards better restrictions against unfounded medical claims by Complementary and Alternative Medicine
practitioners as it would help level the playing field between "natural products" and pharmaceuticals. Read the article from Skeptic
magazine http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/08-05-28.html
Some ways to get involved, courtesy of Skeptic Magazine:
- *Assist local media - in advance!* Tip off health reporters and health editors in your area that a controversial supplement company is
behind StopC51.com's media campaign. Share the url for this eSkeptic
- If your local media does buy the anti-C-51 hype, *write a letter to the editor* and post comments to the news story online. Politely
point out that C-51 does *not* ban vitamins or natural remedies, which are already regulated (since 2004). Bill C-51 just raises the fines for crooks who disregard existing public safety laws.
- Write your Member of Parliament to voice support for Bill C-51's firm enforcement of the existing regulations for natural health
products. Find your MP(using your postal code)
- *Learn about C-51* and Canada's existing *Natural Heath Products Regulations*.
- Read C-51(or just the sections concerning therapeutic products, or enforcement, or penalties).
- Read Health Canada's simple guide: *Bill C-51 and Natural Health Products - The Facts*
- Read the existing *Natural Heath Products Regulations*or the existing *Compliance Policy for Natural Health Products*
