Dear Minister Khera,
Congratulations on your appointment as Canada’s new Minister of Health. Your leadership comes at a pivotal moment, and we look forward to working with you and your team to advance policies that support Canadian businesses, safeguard consumer choice, and ensure the continued success of the natural health product (NHP) sector.
As Canada’s largest trade association dedicated to natural health, organic, and wellness products, the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) represents more than 1,000 businesses nationwide, including manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, distributors, and importers. Our industry plays a critical role in the daily lives of millions of Canadians, contributing to both public health and economic growth.
The regulatory environment for NHPs is undergoing significant changes, and the approach taken in the coming months will determine whether Canadian businesses can continue to thrive in this sector. One key issue is Health Canada’s cost recovery proposal, which would introduce fees that disproportionately impact Canadian companies while foreign competitors continue to operate under the 90-day import loophole without similar financial burdens. As currently designed, this policy risks driving Canadian businesses out of the market, reducing consumer access to trusted products, and creating an uneven playing field.
At the same time, newly proposed U.S. tariffs and retaliatory measures pose additional risks to the industry, threatening supply chain stability and increasing costs for both businesses and consumers. Taken together, these policy shifts could result in Canada losing control of its own supplement market, as businesses are forced to relocate or close, leaving consumers with fewer choices and less oversight.
A well-designed regulatory framework should foster both public health and economic resilience. We believe there is an opportunity to recalibrate the current approach to better reflect the needs of Canadian businesses and consumers while maintaining high safety and quality standards. The attached letter outlines specific policy considerations that would help achieve this balance.
We welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss these issues and work toward solutions that support a strong and sustainable NHP sector in Canada.
Sincerely,
Aaron Skelton
President & CEO
Canadian Health Food Association
