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Here is the MP Lookup page by postal code: https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en
Subject: Support Bill C-224 to Protect Access to Natural Health Products in Canada
Dear [Member of Parliament’s Name],
As a [consumer / member of the natural health product industry] and constituent, I am deeply concerned about the growing regulatory and cost burdens being placed on Canadian companies that make and sell natural health products (NHPs).
NHPs have been subject to layers of costly red tape—burdening Canadian small businesses and putting them at a significant disadvantage while foreign products continue to enter the country freely under the 90-day import allowance. This not only threatens jobs and innovation here at home but also risks limiting consumer access to safe, trusted Canadian products.
I urge you to support Bill C-224, which recognizes that NHPs are not pharmaceutical drugs or medical devices. This Bill restores fairness and ensures that NHPs are regulated proportionately to their low-risk profile. Canadians deserve balanced regulation that protects safety without restricting access or competitiveness.
Please stand with consumers and small businesses by supporting Bill C-224 and calling for a modern, risk-based approach to regulating natural health products in Canada.
Thank you for your attention to this important issue.
Sincerely,
Bob Oommen is the CEO of Quebec-based Bioforce Canada Inc., steward of respected natural health brands including A.Vogel, Herbatint, Aromaforce, and Natur. He has spent more than 30 years in the health sector, including over 15 years in natural health, building experience across sales, marketing, operations, and executive leadership.
Since joining Bioforce in 2019, Bob has progressed through commercial leadership roles to CEO, where he oversees strategy, regulatory compliance, and national operations. His work spans natural health products, food, and health and beauty categories, giving him a broad perspective on the evolving needs of retailers, manufacturers, and consumers.
Bob is particularly interested in the long-term credibility and sustainability of Canada’s natural health sector. Through his career, he has developed firsthand insight into the operational and regulatory challenges facing Canadian manufacturers and distributors.
An active CHFA member, Bob participates in industry initiatives supporting advocacy and consumer trust. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering from McGill University and an MBA from Concordia University.
Michael Bentley is President of SierraSil® Health Inc., a Canadian natural supplement with a proprietary, patented ingredient. Michael’s background includes work in personnel and safety, sales and marketing, and operations management. Michael served two three-year terms on the Board of the Council for Responsible Nutrition. He has also served on boards of numerous public and private companies (in BC and Alberta) and not-for-profits (including Family Services of Greater Vancouver, the UBC Foundation, the BC Sports Hall of Fame, and the Canadian Forces Liaison Council). He has also volunteered for various fundraisers and coached little league soccer.
Michael has been awarded CHFA’s John Holtmann Industry Leadership award and he has twice been named one of Canada’s Top 100 Health Influencers by Optimyz Magazine. He has a Masters of Management from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Arts from UBC. His passions include work, reading, sports and his family. Michael is married and lives in Vancouver.
Mathew Holtmann owns and operates the third-generation Vita Health Fresh Market retail stores in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Having introduced organic and natural grocery items in the Vita Health stores, Mathew began the transition from predominantly supplement-focused stores to the seven full-service fresh markets Vita Health operates today. Mathew is passionate about supporting and assisting local producers, charities and food banks and is an advocate for inclusive workplaces.
Mathew is passionate about supporting and assisting local producers, charities, food banks, and is an advocate for inclusive workplaces. He is the past Board Chair for SCE Lifeworks, an organization that supports people with developmental disabilities in the workplace, has been an active member of the Health First Network and is currently finishing his first term on the board of the CHFA.
Having spent his formative years working weekends, evenings, and summers in both the manufacturing facility and retail stores, Mathew began working full time at Vita Health in 2005, upon completion of his post-secondary education. He believes it is of vital importance to continue to stand up for Canadians’ right to have access to safe, effective NHPs in a fair and balanced market, always putting consumers health and safety needs first.
Mackie Vadacchino (she/her) has successfully pursued her career in senior management roles in both large “blue-chip” corporations as well as in entrepreneurial environments in several industries including banking, retailing and advertising before finding her true passion in Natural Health products.
After 15 years as CEO of Bioforce Canada /A. Vogel, Mackie moved to the role of Chair of the Board at the end of 2022, having successfully mentored a successor to continue the growth of A. Vogel in Canada. Mackie now sits on the Board of a number of companies as well as mentoring young women.
Mackie holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business. Her Corporate Governance knowledge comes from her being a member of numerous boards and organizations, including the Board of Groupe Robert, Cell Foods Inc. and CHFA. Previously on the Board of Governors of Concordia University, the Board of Directors of La Chambre de Commerce de Montreal, Board of the Italian Chamber of Commerce, and has been President of the Montreal Chapter of the International Women’s Forum.
Mackie has always enjoyed helping people achieve their goals and dreams; coaching and promoting many to become better managers and business leaders. Today she continues to formally and informally coach female business owners in our industry who are introducing innovative and healthy products. She is currently a mentor in the Women Getting on Board Program. Fluently trilingual and bicultural.
Mackie’s other interest is travelling and learning about new cultures.
Mike Fata is a serial entrepreneur and respected leader in the natural health products industry. In 1998, he co-founded Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods and led the company as Chairman and CEO for nearly two decades, growing it into a globally recognized hemp foods brand and helping to advance hemp and plant-based nutrition in the mainstream marketplace. He later guided the company through its strategic sale to Tilray in 2019. In 2022, as Chairman of Sol Cuisine, Mike supported its successful acquisition by Plant Plus Foods.
For more than 25 years, Mike has built, scaled, and advised purpose-driven consumer brands, with deep expertise in strategy, governance, brand building, and sustainable growth. A Lifetime Member and Past Chair of CHFA, he understands the Association’s mandate and the evolving needs of its members across retail, supplier, and emerging brand communities.
Brenda Kirk began her career as a cashier at Overwaitea Foods in Nanaimo, B.C. in 1980. She quickly advanced through a variety of progressively senior leadership positions in retail operations, including the development, launch and store manager of the industry-leading automated supermarket concept, Smart Market™, in Vancouver, B.C. in the early 1990s. From there, Brenda added key strategic roles to her portfolio, including regional manager of Save-On-Foods, director of front-end operations and general manager of centre of store merchandising for Save-On-Foods, before joining the company’s senior leadership team as vice president of centre of store merchandising in 2015.
As part of Save-On-Foods’ team of vice presidents, Brenda has held a number of titles, including vice president of innovation and strategic initiatives (2018), senior vice president of health, wellness and our brands (2019), and effective October 1, 2020, her current title of senior vice president of merchandising, where she is an instrumental part of the senior leadership team of Save-On-Foods and the Pattison Food Group: Canada’s largest Western-based provider of food and health products. Over more than 42 years in the grocery industry, Brenda has honed her reputation as a dynamic, strategic and committed leader who’s focused on achieving results and doing what’s right for her team and customers.
A key contributor to the development of the company’s evolving innovation strategy and execution as well as the company’s overall strategic plan, Brenda was named Save-On-Foods’ 2014 Business Leader of the Year—the organization’s highest accolade. She is also the recipient of a 2015 Star Women in Grocery Award from Canadian Grocer Magazine and is a member of the merchandising committees for both United Grocers Inc. and the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers. Brenda is also on the Board of Directors for GS1 Canada and an active member of the Food Executives Club of Vancouver.
As a founding member and now executive sponsor of Save-On-Foods’ Inspire Network, which is aimed at developing future leaders, Brenda is a strong advocate for embracing and promoting diversity in the workplace.
Brad Winsor (he/him) is a dedicated advocate of empathetic leadership, believing in fostering strong connections and understanding within teams to drive success. With experience leading large teams, he has honed his skills in effectively guiding and empowering others towards achieving collective goals.
Brad brings a wealth of expertise in navigating complex organizational structures from being a store manager for Wal-Mart and Real Canadian Superstore, a District Manager with Dollarama and a Regional Operations Manager with Nutters. This experience combined with his people centric approach earned him his current position as President with Nutters Everyday Naturals.
Brad’s passion lies in cultivating inclusive environments where every team member feels valued and supported, ultimately driving innovation and growth. The transition from big box retail to the health and wellness industry was a natural move for Brad as he continues his passion for lifelong learning, healthy living and active lifestyle.
A husband and proud father of two, Brad’s interests include hiking, hockey and Crossfit.
Adam Barnard (he/him) is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Nature’s Emporium, a growing chain of natural and organic health food supermarkets in Ontario. At Nature’s Emporium, he has spearheaded the digital and strategic transformation of the business. Adam has over 20 years of experience leveraging his skills in human resources and technology to deliver sustainable growth for organizations. Prior to joining Nature’s Emporium, Adam was the CFO for a regional grocer, and has previously held leadership roles at PwC Canada and Canadian Tire Corporation.
In addition to his professional experience. Adam has previously served as the treasurer for the Calgary Humane Society Board of Directors. He is also a longstanding supporter of the Enactus student organization – a commitment which has been recognized with the PwC National Volunteer of the Year award and the Enactus Alumnus of the Year award.
Adam is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CA/CPA) in Ontario. He holds an undergraduate degree in Business Management from Wilfrid Laurier University and a master’s degree (MBA) from Queen’s University.
Adam lives in Toronto, Ontario with his wife and two school aged children. He is a Cub leader for the 85th Old Mill Scouts, where he enjoys leading youth in outdoor activities. Adam is passionate about living a healthy lifestyle, and spends his spare time cycling, running, and cooking with his family.
Julie Drapeau is a passionate, bilingual advocate for natural health products, including vitamins, supplements and personal care in both the health food channel as well as food, drug and mass. She has over 20 years of industry experience and currently serves as Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Purity Life.
With a Bachelor’s Degree in Consumer Economics from the University Laval, Quebec City, Julie brings a unique cultural perspective and has served on multiple CHFA advisory councils to provide insight on doing business in Quebec. As a woman, she is dedicated to coaching and empowering other women through networking and training programs.
Throughout her career, Julie has developed programs that support business growth, authored two business-building books, and hosted three conferences within North America. She has co-hosted the Purity Pulse podcast and been awarded CHFA’s “Women of Influence” award in 2022.
When Julie is not working you will find her doing CrossFit or bodybuilding. She is focused on being a healthier and stronger version of herself to help motivate and inspire others to do the same.