43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3187e-3187 (Animals)H. SinikkaCroslandNathanielErskine-SmithBeaches—East YorkLiberalONFebruary 18, 2021, at 6:23 p.m. (EDT)June 18, 2021, at 6:23 p.m. (EDT)June 22, 2021June 21, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Large draft horses over 17 hands high are air-shipped annually from Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg airports to Japan for human consumption;Three to four horses are loaded into crates smaller than a single horse stall;Numerous horses in these crates lack sufficient head clearance, with ears protruding through crate roofs;Flights are 10.5 to 13.5 hours long, with additional hours spent for ground transportation and the loading and unloading process; During this time, horses have no access to food, water or rest;Deaths and injuries occur on these flights, as well as broken crates and one known incident of damage to aircraft fuselage;Horses air-shipped to Japan for human consumption are usually purpose-bred in Canada;Their well-being can be compromised due to lack of veterinary and farrier care and withholding of drugs prohibited from the human food chain;Scientific evidence shows that horses suffer physically and psychologically during long-distance transport and during loading and unloading;Canadian animal welfare laws have no jurisdiction over the treatment of these horses when they reach Japan;A 2019 Nanos poll revealed that 69% of Canadian respondents are opposed to the slaughter of horses for human consumption; andPublic awareness about this issue is increasing, with media interest and celebrity involvement.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to stop air shipments of horses exported for human consumption, due to ongoing animal welfare concerns inherent in this practice.Air transportationAnimal rights and welfareExportsHorses43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01148432-01148 (Foreign affairs)MatthewGreenHamilton CentreNDPONJune 18, 2021February 10, 2021Petition to the Government of CanadaWHEREAS
  • Canada and Cameroon, two of the few English-French bilingual countries in the world, have nearly 60 years of direct diplomatic and development relations with over $1 billion in Canadian bilateral official development assistance provided to Cameroon since the 1960s;
  • In 2016, peaceful demonstrations in Anglophone Cameroon were met with violence by Cameroonian security forces, sparking the four-year, ongoing Anglophone Crisis;
  • Since 2016, human rights groups in Canada and Cameroon have documented hundreds of serious human rights abuses, including crimes against humanity.
  • Thousands of people have lost their lives and more than 200 villages have been burned: Over 650,000 citizens have been displaced.
  • Optical and sensor systems manufactured in Canada are used in many international military applications including helicopters, fixed wing, and drones.
  • L3 Wescam products, manufactured in Ontario, are on two (and perhaps all three) of Cameroon's Cessna Caravan ISR (surveillance) aircraft.
  • There are reports that one or more of these aircraft might have been used in the North West and South West Regions to carry out intelligence and reconnaissance missions to intimidate and suppress peaceful protests and/or assist security forces in conducting operations that have led to human rights abuses and war crimes.
We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada, to:1. Ensure that no further Canadian Wescam systems, spare parts, or related training or support services are exported to Cameroon given ongoing concerns that these capabilities are used to commit atrocity crimes, including performing intelligence missions to suppress opposition groups and plan extrajudicial attacks on civilians in Cameroon's Anglophone regions.2. Ensure that no other Canadian-made military or dual use technologies, including aircraft engines and spare parts, are exported to Cameroon until there is a peaceful resolution of the Anglophone Crisis.
CameroonExportsHigh technologyInternational conflict and international conflict resolutionMilitary equipment and facilities
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 6, 2021e-3158e-3158 (Foreign affairs)Si ThuNaingLaurelCollinsVictoriaNDPBCFebruary 9, 2021, at 8:45 a.m. (EDT)March 11, 2021, at 8:45 a.m. (EDT)March 23, 2021May 6, 2021March 12, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The Myanmar military staged a coup d’etat on February 1, 2021, ignoring the will of the people of Myanmar and the outcome of the election in November 2020;President Win Myint, vice president Henry Van Thio, state councillor Aung San Suu Kyi and elected members of parliament were illegally detained;Public figures, political activists and Buddhist monks who are critical of the military were also detained and their status and whereabouts are unknown; andThe international community including Canada must act firmly to reject the coup and put pressure on our allies and Asian partners to stop providing arms to the Myanmar military.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to: 1) Condemn the military coup in the strongest terms;2) Call for the immediate and unconditional release of all the elected officials as well as political activists;3) Take measurable actions against the Myanmar military junta and call for the repeal of the unlawfully declared state of emergency, and respect the outcome of November 2020 election;4) Immediately draft a law barring Canadian businesses from exporting arms and technologies to the Myanmar military that can be used against the general public; 5) Put forward a UN General Assembly resolution calling member states to address the long term threat to peace and stability of Myanmar;6) Bar members of Myanmar military, their families and associates from pursuing education or business opportunities in Canada; and 7) Draft a motion to refer this matter to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob OliphantCanada unequivocally condemns the Myanmar military’s seizure of power, the overthrow of the democratically-elected civilian government, and the detention of politicians, civil society leaders, journalists, peaceful protestors and human rights defenders. Canada further condemns the use of force by Myanmar security forces on peaceful protestors, as well as the deliberate efforts to suppress dissent through disruption of communications, acts of intimidation, and the introduction of new and unacceptable laws. These actions constitute a blatant and unacceptable disregard for the democratic process, hard-fought civil and political rights, and the will of the people of Myanmar. Canada rejects claims made by coup leadership of large-scale election fraud in the 2020 general elections, as they have no basis in fact, and have been refuted by international, diplomatic and domestic elections observers.Canada has made its position clear both bilaterally and in conjunction with its international partners. On February 1, 2021, Canada issued a Ministerial statement calling for the immediate release of those detained and the restoration of the democratically-elected civilian government. These demands were reiterated in a subsequent G7 Foreign Ministers statement issued on February 3, 2021. On February 23, 2021, Canada joined a second G7 statement condemning the unacceptable attacks perpetrated by Myanmar security forces against peaceful demonstrators, and calling for restraint and full humanitarian access. Canada has also registered its condemnation in an intervention at a UN Human Rights Council Special Session on Myanmar, an opening statement at World Trade Organization’s Trade Policy Review of Myanmar, an intervention at the UN General Assembly and a joint Canada-UK statement at the International Labour Organization Governing Body meeting. In response to the deplorable violence committed by the Myanmar military on the country’s Armed Forces Day, Canada released a Ministerial Statement, and joined a Chief of Defence Statement with Australia, Greece Italy, Japan, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.Officials at Global Affairs Canada also briefed the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE) on March 24, 2021 on the situation in Myanmar in the wake of the military coup, and, on April 15, 2021, the FAAE met for a second time to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on displaced persons from Myanmar.On February 18, 2021, Canada announced targeted sanctions against the military leaders of the coup, including Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, his Deputy Soe Win, and 7 others. These sanctions were developed and imposed in coordination with the United Kingdom, following similar measures by the United States. Importantly, these listing were in addition to a robust sanctions regime under the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA) that has been in place since 2007, and is the most comprehensive among Canada’s likeminded allies. Currently, there are 44 Myanmar entities and 54 individuals listed under SEMA. These sanctions encompass several measures, including:
  • a freeze on assets in Canada of any designated Myanmar nationals connected with the Myanmar State, as well as prohibitions on several categories of transactions, services and dealings involving property of designated persons, wherever situated; and
  • an arms embargo, including prohibitions on exporting and importing arms and related material to and from Myanmar, on communicating technical data related to military activities or arms and related material, and on financial services related to military activities or arms and related material.
Canada continues to work in close coordination with its international partners in pursuit of a range of additional measures to bring pressure to bear on the military junta. These measures include advocating for the adoption of international arms embargos on Myanmar, efforts to target the financial foundations of the Tatmadaw and constrict its grip on information in Myanmar, and continued support to pro-democracy and human rights forces on the ground.Canada will also continue to work with international partners to ensure that vulnerable and conflict-afflicted populations in Myanmar, including the Rohingya, live in safety and with dignity. Canada has reviewed its international assistance to Myanmar, and does not and will not provide direct funding to the Tatmadaw regime. Canada will, however, continue to support poverty alleviation among vulnerable and conflict-affected populations, particularly women and ethnic groups, through civil society organizations. As the prospects for sustainable and voluntary repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar are further diminished by the coup, Canada continues to work with international partners to mobilize support for the Rohingya people. We continue to help meet the immediate and longer-term needs of Rohingya refugees and their host communities in Bangladesh, through programming on health, critical protection services, learning, livelihood opportunities, environmental rehabilitation, and social cohesion.Canada continues to provide development assistance for vulnerable populations in Myanmar, particularly women and ethnic minority groups, working mainly through support to civil society organizations, champions of democratization, and human rights defenders.The military coup has also reaffirmed the critical need for accountability for the crimes committed by the Tatmadaw. Canada continues to pursue a joint intervention with the Netherlands in support of The Gambia’s case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice, and supports the work of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar. We continue to work with our international partners to ensure justice for the victims, and accountability for the perpetrators, of gross violations and abuses of human rights.Building an international constituency to urge the immediate cessation of violence and release of detainees, and to advance peace, democracy, accountability and human rights remains a priority for the Government of Canada.
Coup d'etatCriminal investigations and hearingsEconomic sanctionsExportsFederal electionsImprisonment and prisonersInternational conflict and international conflict resolutionMilitary weaponsMyanmar
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 12, 2021432-00550432-00550 (Natural resources and energy)GeraldSorokaYellowheadConservativeABFebruary 23, 2021April 12, 2021February 13, 2021Petition to the House of CommonsWe, the undersigned citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas, Asia is the main consumer of thermal coal of over 3 billion tons per year to generate electricity. Whereas, China will be phasing out thermal coal for electricity by 2050 to reach carbon neutral by 2060.Whereas, for the next thirty years China will be purchasing coal from many different countries with different degrees of quality, sulfur content, environmental and labour standards. Whereas, Alberta mines thermal coal with very low sulfur content with the highest environmental and labour standards in the world. This thermal coal is for export and not for domestic use. Therefore we, the undersigned, call on the House of Commons to take the following actions to address the situation: 1. Keep mining thermal coal in Alberta because it has the highest environmental and labour standards with very low sulfur content, thus giving China access to better coal to lower their environmental footprint as they eliminate thermal coal for the electrical generation.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONCanada is launching a strategic assessment under the Impact Assessment Act to solicit feedback on policy considerations related to thermal coal mining and to consider the future of new and significantly expanded thermal coal mine projects in Canada under federal review.The strategic assessment will include, but not be limited to:
  • Environmental and health impacts of thermal coal mining and end use of thermal coal such as the impacts on air, water, wildlife, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, and related health impacts.
  • Market analysis of projected demand for thermal coal. This will include an overview of Canada’s current and proposed thermal coal mines, an assessment of the economic importance of the thermal coal mining sector in Canada, and projections of future domestic and global demand for thermal coal mined in Canada.
  • The use of thermal coal, including the export of thermal coal and its impact on Canada’s international commitments and initiatives. This strategic assessment will consider the implications of thermal coal mining and export on Canada’s related domestic and international policies, commitments and objectives, including the Powering Past Coal Alliance.
A committee of government officials, led by Environment and Climate Change Canada in collaboration with the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, Natural Resources Canada and Global Affairs Canada, will conduct the strategic assessment of thermal coal mining.In conducting the strategic assessment, the committee will:
  • Conduct engagement sessions with key stakeholders;
  • Engage with Indigenous groups throughout the process;
  • Provide an opportunity for the public to comment on a draft strategic assessment of thermal coal mining; and,
  • Publish a final strategic assessment of thermal coal mining.
We intend to be in a position to have that conversation with Canadians completed, hopefully by the end of this year, with the publication of a final report in 2022. 
AlbertaCoalExportsMining industry
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 22, 2021432-00482432-00482 (Foreign affairs)ElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCFebruary 4, 2021March 22, 2021December 18, 2020Petition to the Government of Canada We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to apply pressure on its allies to end the export of all military equipment to Cameroon, as such exports facilitate violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. As Canada approaches its one-year anniversary of being a state party to the ATT, this is an opportunity for Ottawa to be a principled voice on arms control.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob OliphantThe Government of Canada is deeply concerned by the continuing violence in Cameroon, including in the Northwest and Southwest regions. Canada has consistently and publicly condemned violence and human rights violations in Cameroon and continues to encourage all parties to the conflict in the Northwest and Southwest regions to seek a negotiated solution. Canada fully supports the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly in Cameroon.In addition to public statements, and direct engagement with Cameroonian officials, Canada continues to raise its concerns about the situation in Cameroon in international fora, such as during Cameroon’s Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations Human Rights Council.Canada has one of the strongest export controls systems in the world, and respect for human rights is enshrined in our export controls legislation. When Canada became a State Party to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) on September 17, 2019, the ATT assessment criteria were enshrined in Canada’s Export and Import Permits Act (EIPA). As a result, the Minister of Foreign Affairs shall not issue a permit in respect of arms, ammunition, implements or munitions of war if, after considering available mitigating measures, it is determined that there is a substantial risk that the export of the goods or technology could be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law or international human rights law, acts of terrorism or transnational organized crime, or serious acts of gender-based violence or violence against women and children. The Government of Canada will continue to carefully scrutinize all export permits and export permit applications for the export of controlled goods and technology, including to Cameroon, to ensure that they are consistent with our legal obligations and the protection of human rights and international humanitarian laws.Canada sees ATT membership as an important element of our export control system and ongoing commitment to the responsible trade of conventional arms. As a newer State Party to the Treaty, Canada has been increasingly engaged, on a collaborative basis, in the work of the Treaty.  This includes offering Canadian perspectives to the Treaty’s Working Groups; participating actively in the Sixth Conference of States Parties (CSP6); making a financial contribution to the Sponsorship Program, which provides funding so that representatives of States Parties with less capacity can attend ATT meetings in person, and to the Voluntary Trust Fund, an ATT basket fund that supports the national implementation of the Treaty. Canada notes that Cameroon was the beneficiary of such assistance in 2017-18. At CSP6, Canada was appointed to the Voluntary Trust Fund Selection Committee and looks forward to taking on this role to support projects that will strengthen Treaty compliance by States Parties. Canada is committed to working productively with the ATT Community, including other States Parties such as Cameroon, the private sector, civil society, and international organizations, in support of the Treaty’s objectives and its effective implementation.
Arms controlCameroonExportsMilitary weapons
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 25, 2021e-2885e-2885 (Foreign affairs)AnahitArmenakyanBryanMayCambridgeLiberalONOctober 9, 2020, at 10:20 a.m. (EDT)November 8, 2020, at 10:20 a.m. (EDT)November 27, 2020January 25, 2021November 9, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:On Sunday, September 27, Azerbaijani forces, backed by Turkey, began a full-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh in Armenian);Azerbaijan launched air and missile-attacks in all directions along the Artsakh line of contact and has expanded into Armenia;Armenian border towns, settlements and Stepanakert, the capital of Artsakh, are being bombarded and shelled;Civilian deaths, injuries and military casualties continue to rise;The people of Armenia and Artsakh with democratically elected governments have been defending their families, homes, and lands;The recent violent attacks on civilians of Stepanakert, and towns across the Armenian border, serve as reality of genocidal threat towards the Armenian nation;Their aim is to extinguish the democratic stronghold of the Armenian people; andCanada approved sales of optical technology to Turkey, which are being used in drones that target civilians.We, the undersigned, Canadians and Armenian-Canadians, call upon the Government of Canada to:1. Take a stand for democracy in Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh (Artsakh);2. Condemn the aggression of Turkey and Azerbaijan against Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh;3. Request Turkey to remove itself from the conflict zone;4. Stop all arms sales to Turkey to ensure Canada takes no part in the killings of innocent civilians; and5. Strongly denounce crimes against the Armenians.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob OliphantCanada welcomes the end of fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh. Now that an agreement has been reached, the focus must be on ensuring that civilians receive the humanitarian assistance they need, and that their rights and safety are fully respected, so that all those displaced by the fighting are allowed to return to their homes. The Government of Canada believes that a comprehensive resolution to the conflict can only be delivered through a negotiated settlement, not through military action.The Government of Canada continues to support the efforts of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)’s Minsk process. The OSCE Minsk Group seeks a negotiated solution to the conflict, and Canada’s position does not prejudge the outcome of this process. Canada stands ready to contribute to its ongoing work.While the conflict was ongoing, the Government of Canada condemned the violence in Nagorno-Karabakh, especially the shelling of civilian areas. Canada repeatedly called for a peaceful, negotiated resolution through the framework provided by the OSCE. The Minister of Foreign Affairs issued public statements, including joint statements on September 28 and October 6, 2020, with the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, urging all external parties and friends of both states to use their influence to support an end to the hostilities and to refrain from taking actions that risk exacerbating the crisis. While in Europe, the Minister of Foreign Affairs also met with the High Representative of the European Union and the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to discuss how Canada and the international community could address the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. Canada contributed $450,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross to support their budget extension for the region and address urgent needs that have arisen as a result of the conflict.On October 5, 2020, a number of relevant export permits to Turkey were suspended, following allegations made regarding the possible use of Canadian technology in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. A review of these allegations is currently underway.
ArmeniaAzerbaijanExportsForeign policyInternational conflict and international conflict resolutionMilitary weaponsTurkey
43rd Parliament229Not certifiedNovember 27, 2020e-2708e-2708 (Foreign affairs)SarahSmithElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCJuly 29, 2020, at 2:02 p.m. (EDT)November 26, 2020, at 2:02 p.m. (EDT)November 27, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Turkey launched an air and ground operation against Iraqi Kurdistan on Sunday, June 14;Turkish airstrikes resulted in a number of innocent civilian deaths, including women, children, and minority groups in the region;The initial airstrikes targeted Makhmour Refugee Camp, which houses 12,000 refugees that fled Turkish persecution in the 1990s, and Sinjar region with 2,500 Yazidi refugees who escaped genocide at the hands of the Islamic State (ISIS);Turkey’s operation will lead to detrimental human rights violations mirroring those of Northeast Syria, civilian deaths, and the displacement of minority groups (Kurds, Yazidis, Assyrians) in the region; andAs a fellow NATO member, Canada is obligated to uphold NATO’s purpose to promote peace, security, and stability, and help find a peaceful solution to de-escalate the current situation.We, the undersigned, concerned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to stand with the people of Iraqi Kurdistan and hold Turkey accountable for their human rights violations, and demand Canada suspends all arms sales to Turkey to prevent the further displacement of millions of innocent civilians while protecting the Kurdistan Region of Iraq from Turkish aggression.Civil and human rightsExportsForeign policyIraqKurdistanMilitary weaponsTurkey43rd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 24, 2020e-2410e-2410 (Animals)ShelleyGraingerNathanielErskine-SmithBeaches—East YorkLiberalONFebruary 6, 2020, at 9:54 a.m. (EDT)June 5, 2020, at 9:54 a.m. (EDT)June 17, 2020September 24, 2020June 5, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Horses are air shipped from Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg to Japan for human consumption;According to Statistics Canada, from January to November 2019, 2,686 horses were air shipped to Japan for slaughter for human consumption;3 to 4 horses are loaded into crates smaller than a single horse stall;Section 141.8 of the Health of Animals Regulations says horses over 14 hands (56”) must be segregated from all other animals for air transport;Many horses being air shipped are large draft types over 17 hands (68”), contravening the Health of Animals Regulations;The International Air Transport Association (IATA) sets out standards for Live Animals Regulations, stipulating that horses must be shipped individually and have sufficient head clearance;IATA only allows exceptions for small polo ponies or Icelandic horses to be shipped in modified horse containers without partitions;Large draft horses can be 3 times the size of such ponies, therefore contravening IATA regulations;Videos taken at Canadian and Japanese airports show many horses in these crates don’t have sufficient head clearance, with their heads touching the roofs and ears protruding through the crates, contravening IATA regulations; andFlights are 10.5 to 13.5 hours long. Additional hours must be considered for ground transportation, loading into crates, and loading and unloading crates from planes. During this time, horses have no access to food or water.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to halt air shipments of horses exported for human consumption, due to the ongoing violation of Canadian and IATA regulations.
Response by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-FoodSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, PC, MPThe Government of Canada takes the issue of animal welfare very seriously and is very conscious of the need for the humane treatment and handling of animals throughout all life stages.The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) ensures that farm animal welfare is science-based and relates to two distinct areas of its operating mandate: transportation and slaughter. Under its federal mandate, the role of the CFIA is to verify that livestock is transported, handled, and slaughtered in a humane manner.Modernized humane transportation regulations came into effect on February 20, 2020. These regulations reflect updated requirements such as container construction, prevention of overcrowding and the compatibility of the animals being shipped to support the safe and humane transport of livestock by carriers (including air).The requirement for the segregation of horses over 14 hands, which appears in the previous version of the Health of Animals Regulations, has been replaced with requirements which take into account the compatibility of the animals, rather than a specified height.The current version of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animal Regulations provide a draft horse exemption to the container requirements. Live horse shipments by air are being inspected for compliance with the current Health of Animals and IATA regulations. CFIA veterinarians and inspectors are present at each air shipment of horses and verify industry compliance prior to departure. The updated regulations also lowered the maximum times that horses can be transported without feed, water and rest. The CFIA is currently focusing on compliance promotion for the feed, water and rest provisions of the regulations that reduce the maximum time for horses to 28 hours. The shipments from the Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg airports are able to comply with the requirements.
Air transportationAnimal rights and welfareExportsHorses
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJuly 20, 2020e-2379e-2379 (Business and trade)JocelynDémétréGregFergusHull—AylmerLiberalQCJanuary 23, 2020, at 2:39 p.m. (EDT)February 22, 2020, at 2:39 p.m. (EDT)May 14, 2020July 20, 2020March 9, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to introduce a bill to protect us from the bulk purchasing of Canadian drugs and prevent these drugs from leaving our country in massive amounts, which could lead to drugs being in short supply or even on back order.
Response by the Minister of HealthSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Darren FisherWe must ensure that Canadians have access to the medications they need. As such, we are protecting the health and safety of Canadians and the Canadian drug supply. Drug shortages are a global problem that can occur for many reasons, including manufacturing disruptions, increased demand for certain drugs, and companies stopping production of certain drugs. To help Canada's health care system better respond to potential shortages and to ensure greater transparency for Canadians, reporting of drug shortages by manufacturers became mandatory in March 2017. The list can be accessed online at https://www.drugshortagescanada.ca/. We know Canadians are concerned about drug shortages. We understand the uncertainty and pressure that a drug shortage can place on both patients and our health care system.  We have placed a high priority on ensuring access to medicines for Canadians, particularly by taking action with manufacturers, provinces, territories and other stakeholders. The Government regularly consults with stakeholders, including pharmacists, patient groups, medical associations, industry, and experts to understand the potential impacts on the Canadian pharmaceutical market and health care system of issues, such as the bulk purchasing of Canadian prescription drugs. On December 23, 2019, the United States proposed a regulation to allow the bulk importation of certain prescription drugs from Canada. We will oppose any action from abroad that could cause shortages in Canada or threaten Canadians' access to medicines, as outlined in our formal response to the proposed rule (https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FDA-2019-N-5711-1208). In our response, Canada emphasized that implementation of the proposed rule could exacerbate drug shortages in Canada, putting the health of Canadians at risk. We also noted that the proposed rule would not provide an effective solution to the problem of high drug prices in the U.S., as Canada’s drug market is too small to meet American consumer demand for prescription drugs or have an impact on high drug prices. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that Canadians have access to the safe and affordable drugs they need. We will continue to monitor the progress of the U.S. proposal and will employ all necessary measures to safeguard our drug supply and preserve access to needed drugs for Canadians. 
Drug supplyExports