By Irene Hayton

The following was sent to us from HANS (Health Action Network Society) about the new Charter of Health Freedom. The purposes of this Charter “are to protect and to promote health freedom by protecting and promoting access to treatment options such as natural health products, treatment devices, traditional medicine, and other health practices.” It is hoped that this Charter will replace the present regulations that were imposed in 2004 that will cause a great many of the health products to be removed from the market. Please read the following and get involved by following the recommendations at the end of this letter.

Support the Charter of Health Freedom

by Lorna Hancock

Hello HANS Members & Friends,

Maybe by now, you have heard about the Charter of Health Freedom and are wondering what it is?

A bit of background… government has repeatedly asked consumers what we want, and we’ve repeatedly said “We want natural health products to be treated separately, differently, than drugs. We want them to be legislatively protected, and appropriately regulated.” The opposite has happened, and most recently, were given Bill C51 & C52, which stirred up so much angst that tempers have run hot.

Without getting into that debate again, we feel that the Charter of Health Freedom solves disharmony between industry, government and the public. It offers a respectful solution, and could set a precedent for the world.

It also needs 3,000,000 signatures on a petition. We hope you can help.

Here are some questions and answers about it, which were taken from the Charter website at www.charterofhealthfreedom.org.

If this Charter is for “health freedom”, does that mean Canadians are losing their freedom to choose right now?

Yes, it does. Since 2004, when the regulations were introduced by the Natural Health Products Directorate (Health Canada), many small and medium manufacturers (of excellent, safe products) could not compete and have closed their businesses, taking their products with them. Their only crime was not being big enough to sustain inappropriate and overzealous regulations. And how about all those excellent American products we are so happy to buy here? American companies, unhappy with the regulatory environment in Canada, have withdrawn their products, amounting to over 20,000 so far. These are excellent natural health products that you can no longer choose. So, yes. Canadians are losing their freedom to choose right now.

Critics have said that there are people who don’t want regulations?  How does the Charter fit with regulations?

To not have regulations is rather illogical in today’s day and age. What is important are appropriate regulations for the natural health industry. The regulations that exist today are inappropriate and overzealous.

Who created this Charter?
The author of the Charter is constitutional lawyer Shawn Buckley, President of the Natural Health Products Protection Association.

Why was this Charter created?

The Charter was created because it is something that the silent majority, the public who consume these products and use natural health services, want. The Canadian people, the 70 percent of Canadians who use natural products, have repeatedly been faced with promise after promise by one government after another. There have been promises made, and never kept, for decades. The standard excuse is “Those were promises made by another party, not us.”

The Charter for Health Freedom is not unlike the American Boston Tea Party, if you stretch your thinking a bit, where the people rebelled because of ill treatment, and demanded, through their “Declaration of Independence” equal and fair representation. Now, 232 years later, a similar situation has occurred. We, the people, want our rights back. We, the people, are ready to step up to the plate, and have equal influence on government, instead of seeing our rights eroded time and again.

The government wants to ensure that issues of safety, and protection of the public, are covered. Does this Charter address these?

In the case of natural health products, it ensures that what is on the label is in the bottle, as well as addresses quality control issues and more. It will also work to ensure that the regulations that surround natural health practitioners are honest and fair, and safe.

What steps need to be taken in order for this Charter to be successful?

It involves the collective will of the electorate, signing petitions, and visiting their MPs. You will be able to see which MPs are supportive on this website soon.

What does the government, and the industry, have to say about the Charter of Health Freedom?

The Charter is a public initiative that will serve the needs of industry, solve many existing problems, and with strong public support, will also make life a lot easier for government. It is positive, and timely, and it is hoped that all people and businesses involved in the natural health products industry, will embrace it and support it.

This is a Charter for individuals. Does this mean that I can make decisions for my own children?

Yes, it does. However, in the case of things like vaccinations, for example, and the practice of medicine, those are covered by provincial legislation.

Will this Charter effect existing regulations (currently being implemented by the Natural Health Products Directorate)?

Yes, it will. It will call a halt to regulations introduced in 2004, and require a revisitation. To ensure that the safety of the public is paramount, but so is restoring the natural products industry to its full potential in the Canadian market, and in the global market.

I am interested in being an Ambassador for this Charter. How can I be involved?

Register your email address at www.charterofhealthfreedom.org.  This will put you on our contact list for information, and keep you informed.

Download the petition and circulate it amongst your friends. When complete, mail THE ORIGINAL COPY with original signatures to: NHPPA, 2-953 Laval Crescent, Kamloops, BC, V2C 5P4

Research your community and determine if your Member of Parliament is in support of this Charter. Let the Charter office know your MPs position, if not otherwise stated at www.charterofhealthfreedom.org.

Educate your community. Find places (i.e. health food stores) where friends and neighbours can drop by to sign the petition.

HELP US RAISE THE 3,000,000 SIGNATURES THAT ARE NEEDED TO BRING THIS TIMELY CHARTER INTO LEGISLATION.

Founded in 1984, Health Action Network Society is a membership-based, non-profit charitable organization dedicated to gathering and disseminating health promotion information. Their website is www.hans.org.