Ottawa strengthens outdated product safety legislation

Ottawa on Tuesday announced new consumer protection regulations that will expand its regulatory role and enhance its powers to recall unsafe products from store shelves.

The new rules — some of which replace legislation written over 50 years ago — come after some high-profile recalls last year, including tainted toys and pet food.

The legislation, which was tabled in the House of Commons on Tuesday morning, also provides for new personnel to prevent unsafe products from entering the marketplace.

"A growing number of Canadians are becoming increasingly concerned about the safety of some of the goods they bring home — and for good reason," said Prime Minister Stephen Harper at an Ottawa news conference.

Harper said the vast majority of sellers, manufacturers and importers act responsibly, but he noted some companies have been negligent in ensuring consumer safety.

"They cut corners, and play fast and loose with safety," Harper said. "To these outfits I say: Be warned, you will soon face severe punishment if you wilfully expose Canadians to danger."

The new legislation will bump up penalties that now range from $5,000 to $250,000 to as much as $5 million per offence. By comparison, U.S. penalties can be as high as $1 million, while the European Union levies fines of up to five per cent of an offending company's annual revenue.

Other initiatives in the plan include:

• Greater surveillance of products in the marketplace.
• Requiring manufacturers to supply adverse drug reactions.
• Demanding ongoing surveillance of drugs after they've been approved.
• Raising fines for unsafe drugs from $5,000 to a minimum of $5 million.

Federal Health Minister Tony Clement said the program will receive $113 million in funding over two years. He was not able to pinpoint how many more inspectors will be added to the federal department.

The changes are the result, in part, of months of discussion at Health Canada about the tools required to deal with consumer safety issues.

Recall numbers jump

Health Canada says there were 90 recalls in 2007, compared to 32 in 2006. There have been 37 voluntary recalls so far this year. 

The federal agency estimates more than 65 per cent of products purchased in the country are imports.