stand up for natural health
update on NHP regulations
written by
Brooke Whitman-Roberts
Wellness Manager
Update: March 25th
This week, Bill C‑224 passed the second reading unanimously in the House of Commons, meaning MPs agreed it should move forward for closer study. It has now been sent to the Standing Committee on Health, where members will hear from experts, industry groups, and consumers before considering any amendments. The committee’s work is the next major step in the process, but for now nothing changes for retailers or customers. We’ll continue to follow the bill as it moves through Parliament and keep you updated.
On March 11th, MPs will vote on a bill that could shape the future of natural health products in Canada – and affect a lot of us who rely on them daily.
Bill C-224 is currently before Parliament and will be voted on by MP’s on March 11th. This bill has important implications for everyone who relies on natural health products. The bill aims to clearly distinguish natural health products from pharmaceutical drugs within federal legislation. Many people feel that this distinction matters because natural health products are low-risk, used differently and play a unique role in personal and preventative wellness.
Recent regulatory changes have raised concerns among consumers, practitioners, and retailers about increased costs, reduced access, and the potential loss of many trusted natural products. Supporters of Bill C-224 believe that recognizing natural health products as their own category would help ensure that regulations remain fair, appropriate, and reflective of how these products are actually used.
If you’d like to share your perspective, one meaningful way is to write to your Member of Parliament. Personal letters from constituents can help MPs understand how proposed legislation affects the people they represent. We’ve included a simple template you can use or adapt to express your thoughts about Bill C-224 and the importance of maintaining access to natural health products. Please consider sending this letter to your MP by letter mail or email before March 11th. Please note that if you are sending your letter to your MP’s main office it will require postage. If you would prefer to avoid postage you can send address your letter to the House of Commons. To find out who your MP is click here.
MP for Columbia – Kootenay – Southern Rockies:
Rob Morrison Rob.Morrison@parl.gc.ca
Main office Cranbrook
C-415 Industrial road A
Cranbrook, British Columbia
V1C 4X8
Subject: Support Bill C-224 to Protect Access to Natural Health Products in Canada
Dear [Member of Parliament’s Name],
As a [consumer / member of the natural health product industry] and constituent, I am deeply concerned about the growing regulatory and cost burdens being placed on Canadian companies that make and sell natural health products (NHPs).
NHPs have been subject to layers of costly red tape—burdening Canadian small businesses and putting them at a significant disadvantage while foreign products continue to enter the country freely under the 90-day import allowance. This not only threatens jobs and innovation here at home but also risks limiting consumer access to safe, trusted Canadian products.
I urge you to support Bill C-224, which recognizes that NHPs are not pharmaceutical drugs or medical devices. This Bill restores fairness and ensures that NHPs are regulated proportionately to their low-risk profile. Canadians deserve balanced regulation that protects safety without restricting access or competitiveness.
Please stand with consumers and small businesses by supporting Bill C-224 and calling for a modern, risk-based approach to regulating natural health products in Canada.
Thank you for your attention to this important issue.
Sincerely,
