Bill C-420 -- What is it Anyway

Bill C-420 is a private member's bill, drafted as a response to a 'directive ' issued by Health Canada, in January 2004. The directive was an aggressive unilateral action to classify all supplements and herbs as drugs. It was 'deemed' necessary to protect Canadians from purported un-substantiated medicinal claims made by food based products.

Health Canada's intention with the directive is to keep Canadians safe, an important, but narrowly focused public health policy. Simultaneously, the directive is detrimental to our health. Restricting access in the self-care genre is not a strategy to keep Canadians well. It exacerbates the current crisis in the Canadian medical care system. A system paralyzed by systemic service rationing, and high drug costs.

Self care is preventive. It keeps people out of the medical system, shortens waiting lists, and by doing so, lowers costs in the medical system. That's one of many reasons why Bill C-420 is important to your health.

The bill is in committee for final drafting. Three readings are required to pass a new law, in Canada. If approved without amendments, Bill C-420 will re-classify supplements, vitamins, minerals and herbs as food. It will reinstate a critical self care option.