The bill, which was introduced on April 8, is an update to the Food and Drugs Act and specifically deals with regulations on medical devices, drugs, cells, tissues, organs, vaccines, veterinary drugs and natural health products.

The inclusion of natural health products on that list has led to protests in multiple Canadian cities. The latest was at Queen’s Park in Toronto where several hundred people gathered over the weekend to voice their opposition to the bill.

Opponents say the language of the bill incorporates vitamins, supplements and herbal products into the same category as prescription medicines. This could lead to natural products becoming available by prescription only, argue some critics.

Health Minster and local Member of Parliament Tony Clement said earlier this week that predictions of widespread bans on natural health products are unfounded.

“It’s absolutely not true. It’s really unfortunate that some elements are fear mongering and trying to scare people,” he said. “There were a few protests, but we’re in constant contact with the stakeholders in the natural health industry. They’re starting to understand why some of their initial information on this bill is biased and incorrect, and why they should support this bill.”

Clement said the bill was created in response to the multitude of food, toy and other product recalls made last year.

“This came out of a genuine concern from the public,” he said.

Clement said Canadian food and drug legislation has not received an overhaul in more than 40 years.

“We were completely out of step and we didn’t have the appropriate legislation in place. We had fines of $5,000 if you were contrary to the law, whereas in the United States they have up to $2 million in fines,” he said. “I didn’t have the power of recall, so if there was a bad drug out there or a bad natural health product, all I could do is warn the public.”

The regulatory framework for natural health products will remain the same, said Clement, but those who contravene the law will receive much stiffer fines and penalties, up to $5 million per offence.

“For the one per cent who are the bad apples, who mislabel products or are involved in keeping information from the consumers on health effects, we’re going to come down hard on them. For the 99 per cent who deliver excellent products to a willing consumer base, it will be the same rules and regulations,” he said. “I think the natural health industry develops excellent products by and large, and I’m determined to rout out all the bad apples.”

Jane Langmuir, owner of Muskoka Natural Food Mart in Bracebridge, has been in the natural health products business for over 20 years. During that time, Langmuir said her industry has been under constant attack, but Bill C-51 is particularly threatening.

“There’s a collective feeling of ‘here we go again’,” said Langmuir. “Things have gotten worse since 9/11, as people’s civil rights have been slowly eroded. Now the pharmaceutical companies see a real opportunity to get rid of us.”

Currently in second reading, if the bill passes final reading, the resulting changes imposed on manufacturers will price natural health products right off the market, said Langmuir.

“Everything will have to be repackaged and re-labelled,” she said. “It’s going to cost people more to shop, and many of the products simply won’t be available anymore because they can’t afford the changes.”

Langmuir said all of the products she uses endure stringent testing, and a wealth of public information is available on natural products.

“They’re trying to take away people’s right to educate themselves and take care of their own health instead of running to the doctor for every little cough,” she said.

Langmuir said she’s already had customers ask her what they can do to stop the bill and she’s directed them to contact Clement directly.

“We’ve fought these battles many times during the past 25 years. I think we can fight through this one,” she said.