Good news came today for those who have followed the court case of organic farmer and raw milk advocate Michael Schmidt. Judge Kowarsky, in a Newmarket court room,  ruled  Mr Schmidt “not guilty” on all charges stemming from the 2006 raid on his Glencolton farm. The judge stated that providing raw milk to cow share members and charging them for the expenses of raising the cows and producing the milk was not against the Ontario law forbidding the sale of raw milk. In a 40 page ruling that took 2 ½ hours to deliver, the judge effectively paved the way for other farmers to enter into a cow share relationship with consumers who wish to enjoy the benefits of raw milk.   

CBC footage of today’s event

For more details  on the ruling and Michael Schmidt's story: The Complete Patient  and The Bovine

Learning to empower Diabetics with fun and delicious options.

For holistic nutritionists by holistic nutritionists, this seminar features information for the Holistic Nutrition Pilot Study on Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Type II. Learn elements from the study to help improve client outcomes.

      
Calgary:      March 7, 2010
Vancouver:  March 20, 2010
Halifax:       TBA 


Also: Toronto Body-Mind Spirit Seminar: February 27  Details

 
                  

<sup>Save Our Natural Health Products

On Saturday the 3rd of October, CHFA launched its new lobby compaign, Save Our Natural Health Products.

With over 42,000 product license applications submitted to Health Canada and, after five years, only 16,000 applications approved for a license, it's time for us to act. We need you to help make our campaign a success.

Our industry must see changes and flexibility to the interpretation of the NHP Regulations including the standards of evidence. Many of the natural health products currently being sold will not be licensed for sale if changes are not made and the availability of new NHPs will be significantly reduced. Without these significant changes, the industry's revenues, profitability and viability in Canada will continue to be at risk.

Your participation and support is vital to our campaign.

Log on to www.saveournaturalhealthproducts.ca to send a strong message to your Member of Parliament, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Health. The success of this campaign will directly impact your business and your customer's access to NHPs.

Get involved today - log on to www.saveournaturalhealthproducts.ca to learn more and send a postcard.</sup>

 

 

From Chris Gupta

A tremendous victory for sanity, in a world gone crazy happened in the Canadian Senate yesterday for our Freedom Team.

The Liberal Senator Joseph Day from New Brunswick came through for the protection of the unalienable rights, freedoms and liberties of all Canadians during yesterdays resumed 2nd reading debate on one of the worst federal Canadian Bills in history. – Bill C-6. The so-called Consumer Protection Act.

But there is more to do:

From the CHFA: While Bill C-6 was approved by the House of Commons on June 12, and received 1st Reading and debate in the Senate before parliament adjourned for a three-month summer recess, we look forward to expressing our members concerns and working with parliamentarians upon their return September 14

NHPs are regulated under the Natural Health Products Regulations, which fall under the Food and Drugs Act (FDA), it stated. The amendments to Bill C-6 now specifically mention that NHPs are exempt

CHFA members have indicated that government needs to honour the conclusion of the 1998 Standing Committee on Health which stated that “NHPs are neither food nor drugs.” As such, we will not stop lobbying until we see NHPs represented as a separate category, not as a subset of drugs.

Should we be concerned? Read the following article in the Septemper issue of Vitality magazine from lawyer Shawn Buckley. It is worth our while to make our concerns known to our governement represetatives in the Senate

The Organic Council of Ontario is currently in discussion with the Turkey Farmers of Ontario (TFO) regarding organic certification of Ontario turkeys. The TFOhas imposed a rule which requires that "all turkeys must at all times be housed under a solid roof". The Canadian Organic Standard(COR) requires turkeys to have access to outdoors to be certified organic. This means farmers holding turkey quota in Ontario cannot produce turkey that meets the COR, which is in line with internationalorganic standards.

OCO has recently launched an online petition to the Honourable Premier McGuinty and Honourable Minister Dombrowsky asking the Ontario Government to overrule the policy of Turkey Farmers of Ontario that makes organic turkey production illegal.

SIGN THE PETITION (click here)

*Link the petition to your website! Contact OCO for access to our link.

 

From Fellow Alumna Rosalie Moscoe

It is with great sadness, as Vice Chair of the International Schizophrenia
Fnd. I send this notice to you about the passing of Abram Hoffer, MD, PhD,
founder of the ISF, pioneer of orthomolecular medicine, author of 32 books,
600 research papers. At age 91, he worked 4 days a week up until a few weeks ago.

Read More

Thank you, Megan Telpner. Megan and Josh Gitalis (both pictured here with Elson Haas)  were two of the fabulous volunteers we had at this year's event.

It was a great feeling to wake up Monday morning to see that Megan had, somehow, whipped off this blog article after a busy conference weekend. It made us all feel very proud.
 

Read Blog

Bill C-6

Shortly after Bill C-6 was tabled, the CHFA sent a letter to the Minister of Health, The Hon. Leona Aglukkaq, expressing serious concern that natural health products were not specifically exempted in the legislation. The CHFA has now received a letter from the Minister indicating that future amendments to the Bill will address this concern. The CHFA has been invited to present to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health on Bill C-6. Our message will be the importance of articulating in the proposed legislation that NHPs are exempt. To read a copy of the letter, go to the members’ only section of the
CHFA website at www.chfa.ca

It is with great honour that Rachelle Wood, president and CEO of PositiveChange Nutrition, (Rachelle Wood Nutrition Inc.) would like to announce that she is the winner of the PEI Business Women’s Association Emerging Business award for 2008. The awards ceremony took place at the Delta Prince Edward on May 10th during the yearly PEIBWA Symposium.

In Rachelle’s own words,” I am truly greatful to all my clients for helping me win this award. Without the support of them I wouldn’t be accepting this award today. I am also greatful to my business advisors and techonology team who share in my vision for my company’s future.  A special thank-you goes out to my friends and family who have stuck behind me through thick and thin over the business start up stage.”

Rachelle’s Prince Edward Island company, Positive Change Nutrition has helped Islanders lose over 35 000 pounds during  the past 4 years. She is a regular motivational speaker for many groups and organizations and writes a health column in a local magazine. Miss Wood’s approach is simple, educated and effective. Through customized meal plans,  healthy recipes, and one on one weekly counseling her tailor suited dietary approach  works for most clients wether they have a family or food allergies.

When asked, “What does the future hold for your company?” Rachelle’s answer was the following. “My company’s future plans involve creating a customized online version of my successful weight loss program. I have a vision of not only helping Islanders, but the entire world by educating others about helthy eating and motivating them through written words how to accomplish their health goals. My company is moving globally at a fast pace and I plan on launching my online weight loss program this May in Toronto at the National Holistic Nutrition Confrence. “

Miss Wood’s online weight loss program will consist of a client tracking tool which includes: customized meal plans, weekly themed articles and recipes, homework questions, vitamin intake calculations, goal setting, food journaling, and optional in office consultations.  Rachelle’s online program will be available for sale to other Registered Holistic Nutritionists who wish to deliver a successful standerized weight loss approach to clients in office or online.

To find out more about Rachelle Wood, RHN, RNCP check out her website, www.rachellewood.ca and online nutrition blog at www.blog.rachellewood.ca .