BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Attention, valued consumers of natural health products. Important changes are on the horizon that will affect how you purchase and use your favourite health care items. New regulations are being introduced that could significantly alter the way natural health product businesses operate. These changes are not just a minor tweak; they could reshape the entire industry.

As a small business owner, these new rules could make it difficult for you to continue providing the high-quality, natural products that your customers rely on. The fear is that increased costs and compliance burdens could force many of us out of business. We understand that these changes are worrying, and we want to keep you informed. Your ability to access affordable, natural health products is at risk, and it’s crucial to stay informed and engaged.

The Canadian Federal Government’s Budget Bill C-47, enacted on June 22^nd, 2023, has an application embedded within sections 500-504, which will give Health Canada extraordinary authority over the natural health products sector. Health Canada’s regulations and fees will place a considerable financial strain on natural health businesses. This could lead to significant price hikes for consumers, or even force many small and medium-sized companies to exit the Canadian market.

The new regulations by Health Canada could limit the capacity of natural health product manufacturers, practitioners, and distributors to disseminate crucial information about their products, hindering consumers’ awareness of their health benefits, and one of the most concerning aspects of this application is the potential for huge fines. These fines, which could be as high as $5,000,000 a day, will cripple and destroy the natural health community. This is particularly alarming given that natural health products are generally considered to be safe and have been used for centuries.

Now, I think that regulation in all sectors is necessary, and that is why Vanessa’s Law was enacted. Vanessa’s Law (officially known as the Protecting Canadians from Unsafe Drugs Act) was initially introduced to protect Canadians from the potential risks associated with pharmaceutical drugs (something that definitely was not followed during the pandemic). The law was named after Vanessa Young, who tragically died of a heart attack while on a prescription drug that later was deemed unsafe and removed from the market.

However, Health Canada has applied the powers and penalties found in Vanessa’s Law to natural health products through changes in the Budget Bill (Bill C-47 sections 500-504). This means that the same regulations and penalties that apply to pharmaceutical drugs now also apply to natural health products.

Health Canada is proposing amendments to the Natural Health Products Regulations and Food and Drug Regulations to align the risk-based approach to regulatory oversight for self-care products. As the scope of the regulatory proposals is significant, the proposed amendments will be advanced in separate regulatory proposals.

The new Health Canada’s Initiative is called “The Self-Care Framework.” This framework is part of a broader strategy to regulate all products that Canadians use for their health under a unified set of rules.

The Self-Care Framework is designed to categorize health products into three groups:

• Natural health products
• Non-prescription drugs
• Cosmetics

The goal is to regulate these products based on their risk level, with higher-risk products subject to more stringent regulations. However, the introduction of this framework will significantly reshape the natural health products landscape in Canada. A key concern is that the framework could limit the health claims that can be made about natural health products, restricting them to minor health issues. This could pose challenges for manufacturers in marketing their products effectively and for consumers in understanding the potential benefits of these products.

The Conservative and NDP health critics both say their offices were swamped last summer with messages from constituents worried the regulatory changes could lead to increased prices and fewer choices for consumers, but the most contentious regulatory change is still to come. Opposition MPs say it’s the one driving most of the public backlash. The planned change would force natural health producers to reimburse Health Canada for the cost of monitoring and approving their products before they hit the market.

Another concerning aspect of the Self-Care Framework is the potential for increased censorship of health information. Health Canada’s new regulations could significantly limit the ability of natural health product manufacturers and practitioners to share information about their products – regardless of their proven health benefits, or even if they are backed by studies.

Many of us depended on natural products for the health and the health of their families.  Some of our readers are not just consumers; some of you are entrepreneurs in the natural products industry. These impending changes will directly affect our personal health choices. I believe this is fundamentally wrong and against our Charter of Rights as Canadian citizens.

As consumers, it’s important to understand these potential penalties and how they might impact the availability of natural health products. The application of Vanessa’s Law to natural health products is a significant change that could have far-reaching implications.

BY PAUL JUNOR

It has been 94 years now since Education Week has been recognized since it was created in 1930 by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation. (OSSTF/FESSO). It was celebrated from Monday, May 6^th to Friday, May 20^th, 2024. It is a time to highlight the work performed by teachers and education workers for the students in Ontario from kindergarten to post-secondary.

The theme that was selected for 2024 by OSSTF/FEESO was “Public Schools, The Heart of Your Community.” According to the website, “This year, more than ever, it will be important for our members to recognize Education Week and to get involved in their union. Teachers and education workers should be proud of highlighting their work in their: schools, neighborhoods and communities.”

It was noted that Peel District School Board will be joining school boards across the province celebrating Education Week May 6^th to 10^th, 2024. The theme selected by the PDSB was “Together We Thrive.” The largest School Board in Canada, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) celebrated Education Week by focusing on several things. They highlighted some of the great things happening across the TDSB that demonstrate how: students, staff, and the wider TDSB community achieve, belong, and thrive in revitalized environments that are inclusive, safe and modern.

On Monday, May 6^th, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) issued a press release to celebrate the importance of public-school educators. Karen Brown, President of ETFO writes, “The commitment and professionalism of ETFO members and other education workers are what continue to sustain our public schools. As we celebrate Education Week, let us take a moment to express our gratitude to those whose determined efforts help to make the world a better place.”

ETFO has been quite vocal in its opposition to the provincial underfunding of public education since it came into power in 2019 and with the recently released budget. President Brown notes further, “By once again failing to allocate funding in the 2024 provincial budget; the Conservatives have chosen to perpetuate a crisis that continues to undermine public education.

Despite a growing need to invest in Ontario’s education system, the government persists in depriving it of resources it desperately needs. This callous disregard of the challenges educators face is a damning indictment of the government’s priorities.”

Children’s Mental Health Week, which coincides with the start of Education Week saw TDSB collate a collection of information and resources that focus on conversations with respect to the ways that the well-being in schools can be maximized and enhanced. The theme selected by the Canadian Mental Health Association is “A Call to Be Kind Because Compassion Connects Us All.” Mental Health Week was celebrated from May 6^th to May 12^th. The CMHA notes,” We all have the capacity to be compassionate, and we know that doing so makes an enormous difference.” It states further that “We are centered on the healing power of compassion. In a world plagued by suffering, we emphasize that kindness is equally intrinsic to our humanity.” The CMHA puts out a call to Canadians to think of ways that compassion connects us as one nation.

On Tuesday, May 7^th, 2024, the TDSB focused on the importance of its Early Years programs. It notes, “The early years of a child’s life are critical for building a strong foundation for future success. Students in these early ages provide safe, challenging and engaging environments where children can learn, develop a strong sense of belonging, and continue to thrive throughout their educational journey.”

On Wednesday, May 8^th, 2024, the TDSB focused on the importance of its Elementary Schools and Outdoor Learning programs. This was provided to show its commitment to: outdoor learning, giving students, and staff the chance to nurture their love for learning by discovering the environments around them.

BY STEVEN KASZAB

Going shopping will soon become an experience you won’t be expecting. Retail space and locations across the sector are going to shrink, while the effects of retail multi-media will increase. Consumers will be facing a cascading of different types of retail media all whose purpose it is to get them to trust a brand and buy, buy, and buy more.

Psychologists suggest that many consumers will be overwhelmed by this unending barrage of retail media on their: televisions, screens, and portable devices, leading the consumer to a retail environment where signage and screens are positioned everywhere, from: the floorscape, to signage on all shelving, and even the ceiling.

Imagine going to a mall in Thunder Bay, and as you approach the mall entrance a dozen homeless people call out for money, putting you in a tight spot feeling as if you’re being assaulted. You feel like you should never have gone to that mall. Now you’re in a brand store. Approaching its entrance are big screens, electrical devices, and scanning devices identifying you, and devising what your needs are through social media outlets these devices can enter. Once inside, everywhere you turn there are flashing screens and information packs. The retailer has applied known psychological methods to persuade the consumer they want to be there; they want to buy a product and experience the brand.

Through the physical store environment, and across relevant content sites, the retail media can link the brands paid marketing to every sale that happens in the physical store. Multi channeled retail media instore reinforces the brands message and creates a smoother shopping experience. The consumer feels as though they have to buy something! A customer-centric experience, with data driven insights compel the consumers to purchase.

A direct connection between in store experience with the brands online presence assures the retailer that whoever enters their store will be encapsulated into their: corporate mindset, message, and sales accomplished.