Mr. Harper’s government may be winning the race for positive media attention these days, but a quick look at its legislative program in the Senate would suggest that it has run out of steam once again. Only 7 bills remain on the Order Paper. Fully 5 of them would escalate criminal penalties and enforcement powers if passed. State compulsion is obviously a popular approach with the Conservatives (their oft-repeated slogan being “get tough on crime”), but when it spills over into matters such as consumer product protection someone needs to question whether we haven’t gone too far altogether.

I think we need a little more compassion here. Let’s address these worthy issues on an operational level. Let’s figure out what resources, training and effective management skills are required to ensure professional, timely and fully appropriate performance on the part of our officials (including Ministers). And let’s stop criminalizing our world.

The more I read and hear the more C-6 is bogus.  I am completing my submission to the committee and it will be there in a day or two and you will get a copy.  Please do not be fooled by Mr Smith of the environmental defense and his BS about Buckley, Truehope and "loopy" people......  I read fearmongering and lies from the witnesses and I do not like that.

Regards and keep up the good work

Jeremy

Isn't it interesting that the party that came into being on the wings of 'less government' is now promoting this awful bill? And all the arguments are merely minimizing its ability to harm. There is no compelling case for this bill, but there are examples of its nightmarish applications. The arguments in favour come across as if someone told the senators that they would be 'good' senators if they spoke in favour of the bill and passed it. No intelligence, passion for justice, freedom behind their remarks.

I love the expression "let's stop criminalizing our world"! Well done.

There are certain words being used here, favoured amongst many other civil service employees (politicians, ministers, etc), which should be of great concern, or a red flag.

These words are: criminal penalties, enforcement powers and state compulsion.

Whether it’s a specific reference, or the more typically convoluted, legalize language, used in the could be, yet to come, Bill C-6…should it make it’s way to the bureaucratic stage, as the latest act.

Human beings living upon the geographic landmass known as Canada, will then have even more rights taken from them...taken from the otherwise common people, voted to an office of civil service…not CORPORATE COMPLIANCE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS. 

For those not aware, or otherwise dubiously suspicious of the integrity, and safety of homeopathic or “natural health products,” which have been, and currently are being sold to Canadian consumers…rest assured, your GOVERNMENT has been looking after your interest, and well being, for many years now.

They (FEDS) have, at least six and, quite possibly more; offices, bureaus and departments, which comprise the “Natural Health Products Directorate.”

As part of the Health Products and Food Branch of HEALTH CANADA (also traded as the GOVERNMENT of CANADA), the Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD), has been the authority that has regulated the natural health products for sale in Canada. Their role is to ensure that “Canadians” have ready access to natural health products, that are safe, effective, and of high quality. While respecting freedom of choice, and philosophical and cultural diversity.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/branch-dirgen/hpfb-dgpsa/nhpd-dpsn/index-eng.php

Since the previous parliament, and with their Bills C-51 & 52, over one million human beings, living on the landmass known as Canada, have objected to anymore POLICING of natural health products or alternative remedies. But, for some unknown or logically apparent reasons, other than the blatant concepts of  “NEO-CON/POLICE STATE” mentalities; they (FEDS), must now institute Bill C-6 (can you say…lock down).  

Bill C-6 - Powers of Seizure: The inspector can seize anything (place, dwelling-house, or conveyance) for the purposes of carrying out his or her duties. 

If found guilty under Bill C-6; a person could be sentenced to a fine of no more than $5 million, or to up to two years’ imprisonment, or both.  On summary conviction, the maximum sentence for a first offence is a fine of no more than $250,000, or up to six months’ imprisonment, or both, and for a subsequent offence, a fine of no more than $500,000, or up to 18 months’ imprisonment, or both.

Believe it or not, this (Bill C-6) will encompass everything which had been previously objected to and, viewed as gross infringements to our rights, as in “Bills C-51 & 52” but, much, much more.

Could Bill C-6, have anything to do with the facts, however old they may be, that being; over 70% of Canadians buy and use natural health products (NHPs)?

This growing desire, to have and to use alternative remedies, as opposed to typical pharmaceuticals DRUGS, must surely be eroding CORPORATE “bottom lines.”

It may also be placing un-due stress on CORPORATE lobbyists, and other such supporters of the political parties. 

Others have referred to the current morphing of so-called “Neo-Conservative” style Capitalist GOVERNMENTS, as quickly moving to states of Fascism. Right down to the CORPORATE owned correctional (jails) institutions.

In the days of Hitler’s Third Reich; it was then a case of the STATE controlling the CORPORATIONS, but today, what’s more the reality; the CORPORATIONS are controlling the STATE.

Corporate control and profits, with no real concern for health care, but rather, BIG PHARMA, CORPORATE LEGAL DRUGS, and GENETIC ORGANISMS, engineered and designed for “sick care.”   

Provided by Christopher-Peter: Maingot; without prejudice, malice aforethought, ill will, vexation, or frivolity.

This is a truly alarming trend.   On a related note, I am in John Baird's riding and I can't tell you how many fear-mongering leaflets I get from his office (regularly) letting me know it is a scary place out there but the Cons are going to protect us from it all.

And now, with H1N1 (which may or may not be a real threat) they are delivering the same message: we are here to take care of you.  Ditto with the economic crisis.

Now, in my examples, they are doing it (scare mongering) to win elections and stay in power; in your examples, it is even more frightening, since these changes in power, since they are legislated, are always harder to roll back once they are in place.

I think you've summed it up here, though.  That the Harper government's game -- both for elections and with legislation -- is one of fear and protection.  Doesn't that sound like the mafia somehow?  But sometimes we should fear most that which claims to protect.