food safety priority of harper gov'tTaken from govt news release Dec. 17th.... This must be seen as bullish for BNC:
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced
the Food and Consumer Safety Action Plan, a comprehensive set of
proposed new measures that will make Canadians safer by legislating
tougher federal government regulation of food, health, and consumer
products.
Speaking at the Salvation Army Christmas Toy Depot in Ottawa, Prime
Minister Harper noted that there has been a sharp rise in the number of
product recalls involving unsafe toys, food and drugs in recent years.
“Canadians rightly expect their federal government to police the safety
of the products they bring into their homes,” the Prime Minister said.
“Today, I’m pleased to announce a plan that will significantly enhance
our ability to do just that.”
The proposed legislation, to be introduced in the New Year, will
transform the government’s approach to regulating product safety. For
the first time in Canada, instead of merely reacting to problems, the
regulations will be designed to prevent them. New measures will include:
Mandatory product recalls when companies fail to act on legitimate safety concerns.
Making importers responsible for the safety of goods they bring into Canada.
Increasing maximum fines under the Food and Drug Act from $5,000 up to current international standards.
Better safety information for consumers and guidance to industries on building safety throughout their supply chains.
“The Food and Product Safety Action Plan delivers on our Government’s
commitment to building a stronger, safer, better Canada,” said Prime
Minister Harper. “This plan will benefit all Canadians: it will improve
our safety and health, reward responsible industry players, and enhance
Canada’s reputation abroad as a country whose product safety standards
are second to none.”
The Government will begin engaging consumer and industry stakeholders
on how best to proceed with the Food and Consumer Safety Action Plan in
the New Year.