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Comment by luggnutz on September 25, 2009 at 10:40pm

C-6 & Charter rights[1].pdf

Here's for any who would beleive there is a democracy or a 3rd choice or a fair shake at it.........

New Democrats on implications of Bill C-6‏

From: laytoj@parl.gc.ca
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Sent: September 25, 2009 2:51:23 PM
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C-6 & Cha...pdf (10.2 KB)


Thank you for writing with your concerns over the legality of Bill C-6. While some believe that that Bill C-6 will contravene the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, we do not feel that this is the case. Please find attached a letter from New Democrat Health Critic Judy Wasylycia-Leis for our detailed position on the matter. Again, we appreciate hearing from you. All the best.

Sincerely,


Office of Jack Layton
NDP Leader


Thank you for contacting me about the legal implications of Bill C-6, An Act Respecting the Safety of Consumer Products.

I note from your letter that you believe that Bill C-6 will contravene the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and allow the government unfettered access to personal property. Having taken my responsibility as New Democrat Health Critic very seriously in vetting the bill with constitutional experts and listening to dozens of witnesses, I believe this not to be the case. I feel that Bill C-6 strikes the appropriate balance between Canadians’ right to health and personal safety and their enjoyment of property.

Bill C-6 attempts to ensure that an effective mechanism is in place to protect Canadians and their families from the neurological damage, loss of limbs and sometimes death resulting from the deliberate or unintended marketing of hazardous products. You should be aware that this legislation has nothing to do with foods, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, explosives or other items exempted through Schedule 1 of the Act. We worked especially hard to ensure that natural health products were carved out with a specific exemption.

Bill C-6 was also compared with other Canadian inspection-oriented legislation and its penalties and due process found to be in line with the need to protect consumers from the harmful and sometimes even life-threatening products on the market today. The range of possible penalties, for example, as in other legislation, allows fines to be assessed in a manner appropriate to the risk posed and the financial capacity of the offender. The maximum end of the scale, rather than driving small businesses out of business, is intended to ensure that larger corporations face a significant enough penalty that they do not flaunt their responsibility to obey the law. Our NDP amendment ensures that the regulations framing the application of Bill C-6 come before the Health Committee before they come into force.

This bill is about human health and safety – preventing avoidable deaths and injuries such as those we’ve witnessed from lead poisoning in toys, poorly constructed cribs, baby walkers and an increasing number of domestic and imported products. Canadians have a right to government oversight and protection from hazardous products to ensure the ongoing health of their families.

Thank you for contacting me on this matter.


Sincerely,


Judy Wasylycia-Leis, MP
NDP Health Critic

Comment by Dorcas on September 21, 2009 at 4:24pm

My copies, hard and email have been sent. Kudos to you!