Dear I am one of many Canadians who expect my government to live up to its commitments to allow me to have access to health care that for me is safe, effective, and available at reasonable cost.  One of the great things about Canada has been our healthcare system that both protects us from dangers, as well as strives to make healthcare options available to its citizens.  I understand that Health Canada is now regulating natural health products under a sub-category of drugs, that they now have a backlog of 2 ½ years for processing applications for the required Natural Health Products (NPN) number, and that they are asking the natural health industry to pay large amounts of money ($3610 for each product with multi-ingredients and $1810 for single ingredients and $920 for each product every year after) for a “cost recovery” program for the licensing of each natural health product.  I also understand that the implementation of this “cost recovery” program was only delayed when proponents of the natural health industry asked for Health Canada to be audited.  If these fees continue to be implemented, and if Health Canada continues to regulate these products under a sub-category of drugs, many of the small- and medium-sized health product companies will not be able to continue the cost of business and will need to shut down.  This will result in cost increases and a loss of many effective products that Canadians rely upon. As a Canadian who cares deeply about my health—a Canadian who cares enough to take out of my own pockets to pay for supplement products and natural health services—I want the government to stop this harassment of the natural health industry so that my costs will not increase to the point of being unaffordable.  I also want access to the natural health products that have centuries of clinical usage with high levels of safety.  I want Health Canada to be accountable for its own regulations, making public clear and unbiased evidence of the health risks associated with the restriction for each natural health item.  I urge the government to guarantee not to implement these excessive cost recovery charges, to assure me that I will not lose my health freedoms, and to protect my health rights. Sincerely, [your name, address, phone number] You can send your letters, fax and emails to your MP and… Health Canada Brooke Laxton Building, Tunney’s Pasture Postal Locator 0906C Ottawa, ON, K1A 0K9 (No postage stamp needed) Fax: 613-952-1154 Email address for Tony Clement, Health Minister: Minister_Ministre@hc-sc.gc.ca Or the Deputy Health Minister: dm_sm@hc-sc.gc.ca