Canadian Health Food Association Applauds Harper Government for Recent Announcements on Cutting Red Tape

Red Tape Awareness Week Brings Action from Key Ministers

OTTAWA, Jan. 24, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) is applauding the federal government and the president of the Treasury Board, the Hon. Tony Clement for announcing new measures to reduce the red tape burden on small businesses. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) launched their annual "Red Tape Awareness Week" on Monday as a means to remind politicians and Canadians of the unnecessary burden and high cost of the red tape currently surrounding small businesses.

CHFA has been working with the Red Tape Reduction Commission since its introduction and applauds CFIB's efforts and the government's commitment to small businesses. A number of Natural Health Product (NHP) related recommendations were introduced in the Red Tape Reduction Commission's report last fall and CHFA looks forward  to working with Health Canada officials moving forward to ensure the implementation of those suggestions.

The Harper Government announcement included plans to reduce the corporate reporting burden for businesses with revenues between $10 and $200 million and improvements to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business enquiries phone service.

"Cutting red tape and modernizing the regulatory system promotes Canadian innovation and economic growth," said CHFA President Helen Sherrard. "CHFA supports the direction the government is taking and wanted to use the occasion of Red Tape Awareness Week to acknowledge their success thus far."

CHFA recognizes the government and thanks them for continuing to make positive progress on their promise to reduce red tape detailed in their Red Tape Reduction Action Plan. The association is working  with the federal government on creating more efficient and sensible rules to guarantee consumer access to safe and effective NHPs.

"With seven in ten Canadians using NHPs, we want to ensure NHPs are subject to reasonable guidelines," added Sherrard. "We look forward to continuing to work with the Red Tape Reduction Commission and Health Canada officials as we move into 2013."

The Canadian Health Food Association is Canada's largest trade association dedicated to natural health and organic products. Our members include manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, distributors, and importers of natural and organic products. These can include foods, vitamin and mineral supplements, herbal products, homeopathics, sports nutrition products, health and beauty aids and more.

SOURCE: Canadian Health Food Association

Michelle Book
Director, Communications
416-497-6939 ex 230
[email protected]