Since CA’s November 25th update, there has been significant progress towards securing cosmetic animal testing legislation that meets industry’s objectives.
MEETINGS WTH LEGISLATIVE PLAYERS: CA met with the Conservative Party Health Critic (the sponsor of Bill S-214 in the House of Commons) and the Senior Policy Staff of the Liberal Minister of Health. Both parties indicated a willingness to have CA, along with Cruelty Free International and their affiliated retailer, broker arrangements between the Minster and her Opposition Critic to arrive at legislative wording acceptable to Health Canada, the Critic and other stakeholders. We indicated that we would assume this role as well as reach out to Humane Society International and any other interested stakeholders to include them in the process.
More specifically:
• The Conservative Party Health Critic recognized that there were issues with the current wording of Bill S-214 and the importance of having the input and support of the Liberal Health Minister if there is to be any chance of passaging legislation in the current parliament before the Fall 2019 election;
• The Liberal Health Minister’s staff expressed concerns similar to ours with the current wording of Bill S-214 and would like the opportunity to get the wording right for Health Canada including alignment with the European Union. He indicated that the Minister is supportive of the Conservative Critic moving the Bill forward if it had the right wording and addressed Health Canada’s concerns;
• Both Critic and Minister are prepared to work through January with stakeholders to develop the appropriate legislative wording such that the Critic could introduce the Bill for first reading, as well as announce the agreed-to amendments, shortly after Parliament resumes sitting at the end of January.
MEETING WITH HUMANE SOCIETY INTERNATIOAN and ANIMAL ALLIANCE: CA met with Humane Society International (Troy Seidle) and Animal Alliance Canada (Liz White). We shared our respective political intelligence and agreed that, to have the best chance of success, any bill must have input from and the support of the Health Minister and her Party (which has the majority in the House of Commons). We shared details of our discussions with the Critic and the Minister’s Office. We also shared how CA had been contacted by CFI and their affiliated retailer at the suggestion of several of our member companies and how our discussion had led to the preparation of draft legislative wording.
Overall, the meeting went well and both organizations indicated a willingness to move forward with us and the other stakeholders to achieve acceptable legislative language. We also encouraged them to discuss the matter with their respective organizations, CFI, and any CA member companies they have been in discussion with.
TIMING: With Parliament now adjourned until January 28th, 2019, the following is a schedule to guide collective efforts in 2019:
• January (Getting the Technical Details Right):
– Use Parliamentary break to work with Health Canada to develop draft legislative wording and broker agreement (including reviewing with and securing support of CA membership)
– Confirm mechanism for amendment and find alternatives if needed
• February (Introducing 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 – June (Securing Parliamentary Approval)
– Each stakeholder, including CA, reaches out to their allies in Parliament to urge support for the revised legislation
– Appear as necessary before the Parliamentary Committee to support the amended bill
NEXT STEPS FOR CA:
Immediate
1. Provide information to the Minister’s office regarding the application of the animal testing ban in the E.U. to ensure they have accurate information. This is now being done in consultation with Cosmetics Europe (CE). Connect Health Canada with the appropriate contact within the European Commission should it be necessary. The material and contact will also be shared with the Opposition Critic as required.
January 2019
2. Establish a CA Task Force to ensure engagement and input on the negotiation process. CA will utilize its Product Compliance & Market Access Committee as well as any other interested member companies (or their international reps). We will also invite CE and PCPC to have a representative to participate to ensure coordination.
3. Undertake role in negotiating and brokering agreeable legislative language.
February – June 2019
4. Extensive lobby effort to support passage of bill with agreeable legislative wording.
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.
