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House Bill

Bill C-252

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
April 16, 2024
Child Health Protection Act
  • This bill aims to prevent food and beverage marketing directed at children under 13 years old by amending the Food and Drugs Act. The bill was introduced due to increasing rates of childhood obesity in Canada and the negative impact of marketing contributing to excess sugar, saturated fats, or sodium in children's diets. The bill also includes provisions for reviewing and monitoring the effectiveness of the act and considering children aged 13-16 in advertising regulations. The act comes into force one year after receiving royal assent.
  • H1
  • H2
  • H3
  • S1
  • S2
  • S3
  • RA
  • Yea (222)
  • Nay (120)
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SteelmanSpren in Favour

  • The Child Health Protection Act is a necessary piece of legislation that aims to protect vulnerable children from the manipulative influence of food and beverage marketing. Childhood obesity has been steadily rising in Canada and overweight and obese children are at an increased risk of chronic illnesses and negative impacts on their mental health. Leading health organizations have developed nutrient profiling models to classify foods and beverages that contribute to excess sugar, saturated fats or sodium in children’s diets. Children are particularly vulnerable to marketing's persuasive influence over their food preferences and consumption. The voluntary measures in place, such as the Broadcast Code for Advertising to Children and the Canadian Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative, have not been enough to curb the advertising of unhealthy foods and beverages to children, making this federal legislative response necessary.

SteelmanSpren Against

  • One could argue that the government should not be involved in regulating marketing to children, as it could be a potential violation of free speech and the rights of businesses. Additionally, it could be argued that it is up to parents to monitor and regulate their children's diets and exposure to advertisements. There is also the possibility that this law could have unintended consequences, such as the promotion of unhealthy foods that do not fall under the marketing restrictions, or the loss of revenue for businesses that rely on marketing to children. Further, there is a concern that this law may not effectively address the root causes of childhood obesity, such as lack of access to healthy food options and physical activity.
Senate First Reading
  • Oct. 26, 2023, 2 p.m.
  • Passed
Senate Second Reading
  • Oct. 26, 2023, 2 p.m.
  • In Progress
  • Read

House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
April 26, 2023
Standing Committee on Health (HESA)
Re. Bill C-252, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibition of food and beverage marketing directed at children)
  • Report 13 presented to the House
  • In accordance with its Order of Reference of Wednesday, September 28, 2022, your committee has considered Bill C-252, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibition of food and beverage marketing directed at children), and agreed on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, to report it with the following amendments:
    Clause 2

    Clause 2 is deleted.

    Clause 3

    Clause 3 is deleted.

    Clause 4
    That Bill C-252, in Clause 4, be amended by deleting line 18 on page 3.
    That Bill C-252, in Clause 4, be amended by replacing line 20 on page 3 to line 1 on page 4 with the following:

    “prescribed foods that contain more than the prescribed level of sugars, saturated fat or sodium in a manner that is primarily directed at persons who are under 13”

    That Bill C-252, in Clause 4, be amended by replacing lines 20 to 22 on page 4 with the following:
    “referred to in section 7.1 in a manner that is primarily directed at persons who are 13 years of age or older but less than 18 years of age.”
    Clause 5
    That Bill C-252, in Clause 5, be amended by replacing lines 27 to 31 on page 4 with the following:

    “referred to in that section are advertised in a manner that is primarily directed at persons who are under 13 years of age;

    (e.2) limiting the forms of advertising to which section 7.1 applies;

    (e.3) defining “sugars” and “saturated fat” for the purposes of section 7.1;”

    Clause 6
    That Bill C-252, in Clause 6, be amended by replacing lines 32 and 33 on page 4 with the following:

    “6 This Act comes into force on a day to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council.”

    Preamble
    That Bill C-252, in the preamble, be amended by replacing line 49 on page 2 with the following:

    “And whereas persons who are between 13 and 17 years of age”

    Your committee has ordered a reprint of Bill C-252, as amended, as a working copy for the use of the House of Commons at the report stage.
    A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meetings Nos. 59, 60 and 61) is tabled.
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
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House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
December 07, 2022
Standing Committee on Health (HESA)
Re. Bill C-252, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibition of food and beverage marketing directed at children)
  • Report 8 concurred in by the House
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border

House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
December 05, 2022
Standing Committee on Health (HESA)
Re. Bill C-252, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibition of food and beverage marketing directed at children)
  • Report 8 presented to the House
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border

House Motion No. 181

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
Sept. 28, 2022, 3:40 p.m.
2nd reading of Bill C-252, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibition of food and beverage marketing directed at children)
House Second Reading
  • Sept. 28, 2022, 2 p.m.
  • Passed