James Lunney - Bill C-420

Bill C-420

On March 20, 2003, Mr. Lunney introduced Private Members’ Bill C-420, “An act to amend the Food and Drugs Act”, in the House of Commons. The bill would have re-classified all natural health products as foods and lift restrictions on health claims that manufacturers can make about their products. C-420 was originally recommended by a team of seventeen experts appointed by the government in 2000 to bring in new rules for Natural Health Products.

Lunney said in the House of Commons: “Bill C-420 is about releasing the tremendous amount of information that supports the judicious use of natural health products, and it’s about greater freedom of choice in personal health care. With a minority government, we have the opportunity to advance effectiveness and cost effectiveness in health care”.

C-420 Died in the House in 2004 with the General election and was reintroduced (with the same name) by Conservative MP Colin Carrie. On November 22, 2005, the Health Committee voted to not proceed with the second Bill voting 7-4 to kill it.