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by Georg and Brenda Feuerstein
On April 8, 2008, Canada’s Minister of Health introduced Bill C-51, which, if passed, would adversely affect 70 percent of Canadians—the percentage of residents in this democratic country that uses natural products to maintain or restore their health. This alert is also relevant to the many Americans who are using natural products and are facing a similar legislation.
Passing of Bill C-51 would also adversely affect countless other people in many foreign nations who depend on natural products from Canada to maintain and restore their health.
What is most disquieting is that this bill, if passed would
1. give bureaucrats the right to pass unfavorable laws without accountability to elected officials, thereby effectively suspending the democratic process;
2. remove c. 70 percent of natural health products from the market and make many available only by prescription;
3. restrict research and development of natural products in favor of chemical products, which are known to have a high health risk;
4. punish Canadians with huge fines (of up to $5 million) and/or jail sentences, as well as seizure of their private property and bank accounts for merely speaking out against this law or for giving a natural product to someone else.
While we can still speak out against this fascist bill, let it be said that it clearly bears the stamp of an underhanded deal between the petrochemical giants and the Canadian government, which has increasingly come under the nefarious influence of the United States where a similar bill has been introduced.
Obviously, the natural health product market has in recent decades gained enormous ground over chemical products used for healthcare. The reason is not far to seek: Chemical products have a high risk factor for consumers, while natural healthcare products are demonstrably effective, thus threatening the petrochemical industry and the medical establishment relying on that industry.
If you think that the Canadian government won’t pass such an outrageous bill, think again. In 2003, Health Canada (supposedly a peaceful government department) used 17 armed agents to storm a group of 300 mentally ill patients (!) and the company treating them with natural products. As a result, several patients apparently committed suicide subsequently when the company was unable to keep in touch with its patients.
Health Canada charged the not-for-profit company in question but lost the court case, which, however, has not stopped the Health Canada agents to alter their policy to prevent a similar disaster.
Once the bill has been passed into law, it is easy to imagine that Health Canada’s hounds will be even more relentless in their pursuit of a truly fascist law.
Could you imagine yourself not having ready access to garlic or cinnamon pills, natural toothpaste, homeopathic and herbal remedies, or essential oils, and instead be forced to ingest chemical products that are more likely to undermine than foster your health?
Could you imagine a time when your house could be searched out of the blue without a warrant under the mere suspicion that your medicine cabinet contains natural products? If your property and bank accounts were seized because of any “illegal” substances found in your home, how would you be able to defend yourself adequately in court?
Such a time, reminiscent of the Third Reich, is far from impossible.
The only way to prevent this debâcle in the making is to vigorously speak out against Bill C-51. You can register your protest even if you are not a Canadian or US citizen!
We feel, there is much more at stake here than having our right to choose our preferred health products. This bill is an onslaught against democracy and civil liberties. Especially with the looming economic and ecological crisis, we must step forward to safeguard the freedoms we still have. After the 9/11 disaster, Americans allowed their government to deprive them of major constitutional rights from right under their noses. Canadians ought to learn from this example and not allow their elected officials to do the same.
Please sign the petition against Bill C-51 at the following link:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/StopC51
You may freely reproduce this article.