Health Minister Mark Holland says new powers are needed to unilaterally remove dangerous products from stores if they pose a risk to people and are not being used for their intended purpose.
He defended new powers included in the Liberal budget bill against claims by advocacy groups with loose ties to the tobacco industry, which have warned about ministers potentially abusing the powers in the future.
The changes to the law will allow ministers to impose conditions on the sale, advertising, manufacture and import of health products if they are satisfied that they are being used off-label and may be harmful.
Holland sought the authority in response to the sale of nicotine pouches, which he claims are approved by Health Canada as a smoking cessation aid but are marketed to young people.
The Consumer Choice Centre, which has traditionally received funding from the tobacco industry, says future health ministers could ban other health products, such as contraceptives, for political gain, without clear evidence that they actually harm people.
Mr Holland said there were enough rules in place that ministers would have to be completely dishonest to use their new powers in that way.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2024.