Further to our January newsletter update, Cosmetics Alliance and members of our allied stakeholder group had the opportunity to meet once again with officials from the Healthy Environments & Consumer Safety Branch. We discussed “cruelty-free” claims and certification programs, and how they might fit within a Canadian policy regarding cosmetics animal testing. We also re-iterated our collective support for a ban based on the European Union model that fits within the context of our Canadian regulatory framework.
Subsequent to our meeting, and as follow-up to our November 24th letter to the Health Minister, another joint letter was sent to the Minister to formally convey our collective support of Health Canada’s proposal to advance a cosmetics animal testing ban and to express our appreciation for the efforts of Health Canada staff working on the initiative.
As previously outlined to members, there remains much work ahead for government including drafting the memorandum to take to Cabinet for approval, drafting the legal text and choosing the appropriate legislative vehicle (stand alone legislation or as part of a larger bill). This will then be followed by introduction into Parliament, three readings, possible committee hearings, and finally passage in both the House of Commons and Senate.
CA will begin work on an advocacy strategy as it is very important that our group vocalizes our collective support with opposition parties and Senate caucuses to assist the Government in securing passage.
As the International Congress on Alternatives to Animal testing is being hosted in Canada at Niagara Falls, Ontario, in August of 2023, it is expected that the Government will want to have this initiative completed by that date.
