Further to our June update, CA and our allied stakeholders group met on July 18 with the Health Minister’s Policy Advisor responsible for environment and health files related to animal testing. We took the opportunity to convey our support of Health Canada’s Draft Proposal for a Cosmetics Animal Testing Ban (as expressed in our May 19 letter to the Minister). We also pressed for legislation to be tabled, in some form, as soon as possible and certainly in advance of Canada hosting the Animal Alternatives World Congress in August 2023 at Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Our stakeholder group continues to discuss strategies to help get legislation quickly tabled and ensure Members of Parliament from all political parties are aware of our efforts and support for this initiative. Of note, the issue of utilizing animal testing alternative methods generally was raised in Bill S-5 (CEPA Modernization) with its inclusion by the Government in the preamble of the bill. Several strengthening amendments were proposed by the Senate Committee and the amended bill ultimately passed in the Senate on June 22. Bill S-5 is now before the House of Commons.
CA will continue to keep members updated on developments.
