Although Bill C-6 does not currently apply to natural health products (NHPs), the Bill poses a threat to NHPs.

Firstly, Bill C-6 could be made applicable to NHPs by a simple regulatory amendment, which does not need the approval of Parliament. Therefore, after successfully fighting Bill C-51 in 2008, Canadian consumers could find their access to NHPs threatened by the same provisions found in Bill C-51, but applied through Bill C-6.

Secondly, if Bill C-6 passes, a precwww.edent is set. It is quite possible that similar enforcement provisions and penalties would be applied to drugs and NHPs. Bill C-6 provides Health Canada with dramatically expanded powers to search private property without a warrant; seize private
property without court supervision; destroy private property without court supervision; take control of businesses without court supervision; in some circumstances to keep seized private property without a court order; and impose penalties that manufacturers, distributors and retailers in the natural health community may not survive.

If Bill C-6 becomes law, Health Canada inspectors will have two sets of powers-one set for foods, drugs, medical devices and cosmetics and another set for consumer products. Bill C-6
would represent a dramatic precedent of a move away from the rule of law, and towards unaccountability for bureaucratic incursion into privacy and property rights.

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