Toxic Substances Warning Label Act

An Act regarding the right to know when products contain toxic substances

This bill was last introduced in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session, which ended in August 2021.

Sponsor

Peter Julian  NDP

Introduced as a private member’s bill. (These don’t often become law.)

Status

Outside the Order of Precedence (a private member's bill that hasn't yet won the draw that determines which private member's bills can be debated), as of Feb. 5, 2021
(This bill did not become law.)

Summary

This is from the published bill. The Library of Parliament often publishes better independent summaries.

This enactment prohibits the sale, importation and advertisement of any product that contains a toxic substance or produces a toxic substance when used, unless that product has a label warning of the potential exposure to the toxic substance affixed on one or more surfaces of its packaging.

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from the Library of Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Toxic Substances Warning Label ActRoutine Proceedings

February 5th, 2021 / 12:20 p.m.
See context

NDP

Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-266, An Act regarding the right to know when products contain toxic substances.

Madam Speaker, I thank my seconder, the member for Victoria, who is always a strong proponent of a better environment.

During this COVID-19 pandemic, Canadians are rightfully concerned about their health. That extends to being concerned about what toxic substances may be found in their households. Polls show that over 95% of Canadians believe that toxic substances should be labelled. This is why am I presenting today this right-to-know legislation. It has been developed with important contributions from Toxic Free Canada, Environmental Defence and Option consommateurs in Quebec.

The bill sets out, in lists established by the California EPA, the U.S. National Toxicology Program and the European Chemicals Agency, toxic substances to be banned in Canada unless they are clearly labelled. During the pandemic and after, Canadians are rightfully concerned about their health. I hope that all members will support this important right-to-know legislation.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)