If You Value Your Health Supplements...

photo by Jaime Kowal

I take a handful of nutritional supplements twice a day and have been doing so for years. Frankly, I attribute my steady stout health, strong mind (although some may argue that), and girlish good looks (if you know what’s good for you, you won’t argue that) to this daily regimen.

I’m also a nutritionist (a registered dietitian) who, as a former health editor, routinely wrote about the science-based facts around the virtues of nutritional support. (Just Google my name and you’ll see scores of columns and stories I’ve done.)

Anyway, this is by way of saying I’ve grown quite concerned about proposed legislation that is looming on the horizon as I write this in early May for our June issue, which you’re now holding in your hands or reading online.

The Canadian minister of health introduced Bill C-51 into the House of Commons in April. There’s mounting consumer activism against Bill C-51, which, if made into law, would essentially allow the Canadian government to designate any natural health product as a drug, available only via prescription.

Informed critics of Bill C-51 believe that while the bill is promoted as a means to protect the safety of Canadians, the reality is that it would increase health costs by limiting our choices in natural health products.

According to B.C. lawyer Shawn Buckley, an expert in the Food and Drugs Act, there’s never been a recorded death in Canada caused by a natural health product. Furthermore, he points out, when you consider the benefits of natural health products, it becomes clear that the real danger in regulating them is to “over-regulate” them right off the market.

So I suggest that if you value your access to nutritional supplements, let our federal leaders hear from you. For a status report on where Bill C-51 stands and what you can do as a concerned consumer, go to the Canadian Health Food Association’s website at chfa.ca. It also has sample letters you can send to your local MP (find yours at snipurl.com/localmp) and other federal officials. Additionally, you can e-mail Prime Minister Stephen Harper at pm@pm.gc.ca and Tony Clement, Minister of Health, at Minister_Ministre@hc-sc.gc.ca.

This magazine cheerleads for integrative medicine, which is the combining of the best of conventional medicine and the best of natural medicine. Let’s make sure that we have the choice. Act now.

Mayor Robertson Has a Nice Ring
SharedVISION endorses Gregor Robertson for Vancouver mayor. As an MLA, Gregor has demonstrated his commitment to the issues of social justice, environmental sustainability, and housing affordability, and he has a deep understanding and support for creative and collaborative approaches to making Vancouver a world-class city.

But Gregor must first win the Vision Vancouver nomination; if you are a Vision Vancouver member, you can vote at the nomination convention June 15 at the Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Drive. Gregor is a fabulous candidate with a genuine kindness and deep commitment to the issues most important to this magazine. He’s also one of our Visionary Fathers this month; check it out.

It’s all good. It’s all a SharedVISION.

In gratitude,
Rebecca