All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.
Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-252s:
C-252 (2020)
Trade and Foreign Investment Protection Agreements Transparency Act
C-252 (2016)
An Act to amend the Navigation Protection Act (Shawnigan Lake)
C-252 (2013)
An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (physical activity and amateur sport fees)
C-252 (2011)
An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (physical activity and amateur sport fees)
Votes
Oct. 25, 2023Passed 3rd reading and adoption of Bill C-252, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibition of food and beverage marketing directed at children)
Sept. 28, 2022Passed 2nd reading of Bill C-252, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibition of food and beverage marketing directed at children)
This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below.
Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Bill C-252 aims to amend the Food and Drugs Act to prohibit the marketing of foods and beverages with excessive amounts of sugar, sodium, and saturated fats to children under the age of 13. It also mandates Health Canada to monitor the impact of food and beverage marketing on teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18. The goal of the bill is to address childhood obesity and improve children's health by reducing their exposure to advertisements for unhealthy food options, but some are concerned that it may be too restrictive or ineffective.
Liberal
Prohibit marketing to children: Bill C-252 seeks to prohibit the marketing of foods containing excessive sugar, sodium, and saturated fats to children under 13. It aims to enable children to make healthier food choices and address childhood obesity, a significant health issue in Canada.
Industry self-regulation inadequate: The Liberals argue that self-regulatory codes by the Association of Canadian Advertisers are insufficient, as they are voluntary and easily circumvented. They point to the United Kingdom and Spain, which are developing regulations after witnessing the failure of self-regulation.
Supports a nuanced approach: The bill is framed to allow Health Canada to create categories rather than targeting specific foods, allowing for exemptions for beneficial foods like fruits. This would be based on consultations and scientific evidence regarding children's nutritional needs.
Government's role in promoting health: Liberals believe the government has a role in promoting healthy eating habits, especially given the targeted advertising children face today. While respecting parental choices, the bill aims to level the playing field against the influence of unhealthy food marketing.
Conservative
Opposes Bill C-252: The Conservative party opposes Bill C-252, arguing that it represents government overreach into the lives of Canadians and infringes upon parental responsibilities regarding children's nutrition. They advocate for empowering parents to make informed decisions about their children's diets and lifestyles, rather than imposing more government regulations.
Focus on parental role: The Conservatives emphasize the importance of parents teaching their children about healthy eating habits, promoting active lifestyles, and serving as role models, rather than relying on government intervention. They believe that parents are best equipped to guide their children's choices and foster healthy decision-making.
Unintended consequences: The party voices concerns about the potential unintended consequences of the bill, such as limiting sponsorship opportunities for youth sports programs like Timbits hockey. They worry that the bill could hinder children's access to sports and recreational activities.
Ineffective legislation: The Conservatives point to the example of similar legislation in Quebec, which they claim has not significantly reduced obesity rates, to suggest that the bill may not achieve its intended goals. They argue that government regulation alone is not effective and that a multi-faceted approach is needed.
NDP
Strong support for Bill C-252: The NDP strongly supports Bill C-252, which aims to prohibit the marketing of unhealthy food and beverages to children, viewing it as a necessary and overdue measure to protect children's health. They have advocated for similar legislation for many years.
Calls for more ambitious action: While supporting the bill, the NDP believes it could be more ambitious, referencing past proposals that included a broader range of products and a higher age limit (under 17) for protection from marketing. They argue that teenagers are particularly vulnerable due to their increased exposure, disposable income, and unsupervised behavior.
Poverty and food access: The NDP emphasizes that addressing child nutrition requires tackling poverty, advocating for a national school food program and a guaranteed livable basic income to ensure all children have access to nutritious food, especially given the rising cost of healthy options.
Quebec as a model: The NDP points to Quebec's existing restrictions on advertising to children as a successful model, citing lower obesity rates and higher fruit and vegetable consumption in the province. They suggest that the rest of Canada should follow Quebec's lead.
Bloc
Support the bill: The Bloc Québécois supports Bill C-252 as a necessary step to protect children from manipulative marketing tactics by big food companies, drawing parallels to actions taken against tobacco advertising. Members believe children have the right to not be treated like merchandise, and deserve protection from advertising designed to sell them on unhealthy foods.
Respect Quebec's jurisdiction: The Bloc Québécois stresses the importance of respecting Quebec's jurisdiction over health care and consumer protection, as the province already has strong legislation in place, and will examine the bill to ensure that it does not encroach on provincial jurisdiction. They will propose amendments to ensure the two acts are similar.
Address childhood obesity: Bloc members highlight the alarming rise in childhood obesity and the negative impact of unhealthy food marketing on children's health and development. They emphasize the need for tools to help parents and protect children from the long-term health consequences of poor dietary choices.
Advertising's effects on children: Bloc members argue that children lack the maturity to critically evaluate advertising and are susceptible to its manipulative effects, particularly concerning sugary and unhealthy foods. They are concerned about the normalization of unhealthy eating habits and the long-term health consequences for children.
