Further to CA’s December 20 update regarding Bill S-214 (cosmetics animal testing ban), progress continues with respect to advancing workable amendments that industry can support.
Legislative Players:
CA is actively working with the Conservative Party Health Critic, Marilyn Gladu, M.P. (the sponsor of Bill S-214 in the House of Commons) and the office of the Liberal Minister of Health. Both have recognized that there are issues with the current wording of Bill S-214 and have indicated a willingness to work together to achieve an acceptable bill. (It is only with the support of the Liberal Health Minister, whose party has a majority in the House of Commons, that any bill is likely to pass before the fall election). The Health Minister is also supportive of the Conservative Critic moving an amended bill forward.
The Liberal Health Minister’s staff are now working on drafting legislative wording that fits within Canada’s legislative framework and aligns with the E.U.. To that end, CA has provided three critical documents regarding the application of the animal testing ban in the E.U. to ensure they have accurate information. These documents were provided to CA by Cosmetics Europe and PCPC.
Reply-to-Ms-Burke-California-Legislative-July-23-2018.pdf
Judgement of the Court – 21 Sept 2016
Stakeholders:
Last week, CA was part of a joint stakeholder meeting including Cruelty Free International, Humane Society International, Animal Alliance of Canada, and their affiliated retailers. The meeting went extremely well, and all agreed that, to have the best chance of success, any bill must have input from and the support of the Health Minister and her majority Party. The group aligned on the principles necessary in any legislative language including alignment with the E.U. and are collectively advancing these principles to the Critic and to the Minister’s staff as they draft the necessary legislative amendments.
Next Steps:
January – Get the Technical Details Right:
– continue to work with Health Canada to develop draft legislative wording and broker agreement with the Critic and key stakeholders
– review with and secure support of CA membership (via the Product Compliance & Market Access Committee) as well as PCPC and CE to ensure international coordination: first meeting held January 14
– confirm mechanism for amendments and find alternatives if needed
February – Introduce the Bill and Amendments into Parliament:
– Conservative Critic (MP Marilyn Gladu) introduces Bill for first reading and announces proposed agreed-to amendments (including engagement and support of Health Minister)
– stakeholder partners publicly announce support for amended legislation
March to June – Secure Parliamentary Approval:
– extensive lobby effort to support passage of bill with agreeable legislative wording
– appear as necessary before the Parliamentary Committee to support the amended bill
Cautionary Note:
Canada’s Parliament is set to adjourn in June/July 2019 with a federal general election set for October. Securing the passage of any private members bill (which requires three readings, committee hearings, and a return to the Senate for concurrence if amended) is not an easy task and cannot be guaranteed. Having general support for such a bill, especially the united support of stakeholders including industry, greatly increases the chance of success.
Should you have any questions, comments, or wish to arrange for a briefing with the CA team, please contact Susan Nieuwhof at snieuwhof@cosmeticsalliance.ca.
