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A large group of B.C. businesses and other industry leaders have announced that the government will take legal action against companies that manufacture, promote or sell goods and services that cause or contribute to illness and disease. have expressed concern about a recently introduced state bill that would allow them to do so.
Published April 3, 2024 • Last updated 7 minutes ago • Reading time 3 minutes
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Gary Sands is senior vice president of public policy and advocacy for the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers. Photo credit: MICHAEL PEAKE/Toronto Sun/QMI Me /MICHAEL PEAKE/Toronto Sun/QMI Me
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A large group of B.C. business and industry leaders says the government will take legal action against companies that manufacture, promote or sell goods and services that cause or contribute to illness and disease. have expressed concern about a recently introduced state bill that would allow them to do so.
They say they fear the law is so broad and vague that grocery stores could be sued and held liable for selling processed foods, red meat and candy.
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“What do they expect from us (grocery stores)?” said Gary Sands, senior vice-president of public policy and advocacy at the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers.
“Should we put things like scanners that monitor sodium, cholesterol and calories in people's diet? Should we say, 'Oh, are you going to buy candy or red meat?' The list goes on. ”
In mid-March, the British Columbia government introduced the Public Health Responsibility and Restoration Act, which would “go after wrongdoers and recover the cost of the public health harm their products cause people.” I explained that it was a thing.
Prime Minister David Eby named social media giants, tobacco companies, pharmaceutical companies and other “big faceless corporations”.
The bill proposes to give the government the ability to take preventive measures to address the risk of illness, disease and injury, as well as to claim public costs such as hospital treatment and doctor's visits. . The company and its directors and officers may be held liable.
The announcement drew swift reactions from lawyers at major firms, including McCarthy Tetrault, Fasken, Lawson Randell, BLG and Blake Cassels.
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They warned that the bill, as drafted, could apply to a wider range of goods and services. The state already has special laws targeting tobacco and opioid drug companies.
Twenty business associations, including national organizations, raised concerns about the bill and the lack of debate around it in an open letter to Mr Eby and Attorney General Niki Sharma.
“The intent to protect the physical and mental health and well-being of British Columbians is laudable and a goal we support,” they wrote. “We write this letter to emphasize that the parameters of Bill 12 need to be clearly and appropriately defined so as not to inadvertently expose the wider business community to legal risk. ”
Greg Wilson, director of British Columbia government relations for the Retail Council of Canada, said most businesses are not aware of the law and industry leaders are trying to understand it themselves.
“We really relied on the help of our attorneys who are looking into the situation to understand what impact it could have from a liability standpoint. Not just the manufacturing of the goods. , there's also talk about distribution and promotion. …And it came as a surprise. This hasn't been telegraphed for years.”
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He said there were concerns that there would not be enough debate because the state government has a majority in parliament.
Other signatories to the letter include the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, BC Craft Breweries, Able BC, BC Hotels Association, Canadian Craft Distillers Alliance, BC Craft Distillers Guild, Rural Liquor Store Advisory Association, and Canadian Independent Groceries. Includes store federations, businesses, etc. Council of BC, Canadian Beverage Association, BC Restaurant and Foodservice Association, Canadian Restaurants, Forest Industry Council, BC Chamber of Commerce, and Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters.
“Let's take a look at food preparation in the bakery and kitchen. Obviously we can't ignore food safety, but this could make it even safer,” says BC Restaurant Food Service. said Ian Tostenson, president and CEO of the association. “We're not blaming the government, but we just need to sit down and clarify things. We're not going to take business away from British Columbia.”
Postmedia reached out to the Attorney General's Office for comment, but did not receive a response by deadline.
jlee-young@postmedia.com
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