HealthLink: Health Canada's Legislative Renewal
Health Canada has developed a proposal for a new Canada Health Protection Act. The intention is to 'modernize, strengthen and integrate the current federal protection laws into a comprehensive system that is more responsive to present and future realities, and that reflects a commitment to the highest standards of quality'. The proposed Canada Health Protection Act will replace the Food and Drugs Act (1953), the Hazardous Products Act (1969), the Quarantine Act (1872) and the Radiation Emitting Devices Act (1970). Only after feedback from this national consultation will a bill be drafted and presented to Parliament.
In 1998, Health Canada carried out an initial national consultation that identified a need to thoroughly review and improve the current health protection legislation. Almost 1000 individuals and organizations participated in the consultation.
At the moment, everything in the proposal is open for discussion. This proposal concerns all Canadians. There are three ways to send comments. First, directly on the Health Canada website, secondly by written comments or submissions by e-mail or mail and thirdly by participating in meetings to be scheduled in the coming months.
Consumer Tip:
Health Canada is seeking the input of Canadians about what should go into a new legislative framework on health protection. Health protection legislation gives the federal government the authority it needs to act. It also establishes what the government can do to help make the lives of Canadians safer and to reduce health risks.
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