OTTAWA, ON – The Government of Canada introduced sweeping new legislation (Bill C-52) in the House of Commons today to improve the safety of food, consumer, and health products in Canada. The Food and Consumer Safety Action Plan was first presented to Canadians by Prime Minister Harper in December 2007 and under Budget 2008, invested $113 million for the next two years to support the Plan. The introduction of legislation today is the Government’s next step to implement the Plan. Amendments to the Food and Drugs Act were also introduced today.

Mr. Tilson was available for comment today following the tabling of the legislation, “Today, our Government is delivering on its commitment to build consumer confidence and to better protect the health and safety of Canadians by tabling the new Canada Consumer Product Safety Act and introducing amendments to the Food and Drugs Act.”

The new legislation aims to prevent problems from occurring, targeting the highest risks, and responding rapidly to problems which occur. Furthermore, the Government will devote new resources to enhanced surveillance of products already on the market and introduce a requirement for manufacturers to report incidents causing illness or injury within seven days. For those companies who do put consumers at risk, proposed fines will increase from the current maximum of $5,000 to a new maximum of up to $5 million.

“Our Government is getting things done for Canadians. Food and consumer safety has been a serious concern raised in my riding and I’m pleased this extremely tough and thorough legislation underscores our Government’s pledge to severely punish those who wilfully expose Canadians to danger,” said Mr. Tilson.