Vol. 147, No. 13 — June 19, 2013
Registration
SI/2013-65 June 19, 2013
JOBS, GROWTH AND LONG-TERM PROSPERITY ACT
Order Fixing the Day on which this Order is published and six months after that Day as the Days on which Certain Provisions of the Act Come into Force
P.C. 2013-642 June 6, 2013
His Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Health, pursuant to section 419 of the Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act, chapter 19 of the Statutes of Canada, 2012,
- (a) fixes the day on which this Order is published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, as the day on which section 413 and subsection 414(1) of that Act come into force; and
- (b) fixes the day that is six months after the day on which this Order is published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, as the day on which section 418 of that Act comes into force.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Order.)
Proposal
This Order brings into force section 413 and subsection 414(1) of the Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act on the day the Order is made giving effect to new and amended provisions of the Food and Drugs Act. It also brings section 418 into force six months after the day this Order is published in the Canada Gazette, Part II,giving effect to the amended provisions of the Excise Tax Act.
Background
Amendments to the Food and Drugs Act under the Jobs, Growth, and Long-term Prosperity Act were targeted to gain efficiencies in setting prescription status for drugs. These legislative amendments enable the Minister of Health to establish a Prescription Drug List (PDL). The PDL will replace Schedule F, currently found in the Food and Drug Regulations,with a Web-based list. The Governor in Council will make regulations establishing the scientific criteria and consultation process regarding the evaluation and designation of prescription drugs. The timing of the consequential amendment to the Excise Tax Act (section 418 of the Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act) is aligned to come into force with the Governor in Council regulations.
Implications
These provisions will enable Health Canada to provide timely access to innovative and safe health products for Canadians. The targeted amendments to the Food and Drugs Act cut red tape and make the health product regulatory system more efficient and flexible, while continuing to protect the health and safety of Canadians.
Consultation
The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) has been consulted with respect to potential impact that this proposal may have on barriers to international trade through the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) set out under the World Trade Organization. No concerns were raised by DFAIT as Health Canada will continue to notify internationally. Following the introduction of Bill C-38, numerous industry stakeholders have expressed their support for these provisions to enable Health Canada to streamline the regulatory process, without compromising the rigour of scientific assessment.
Departmental contact
David K. Lee
Director
Office of Legislative and Regulatory Modernization
Policy, Planning and International Affairs Directorate
Health Products and Food Branch
Ottawa, Ontario
Telephone: 613-957-0374
Fax: 613-941-7104
Email: lrm-mlr@hc-sc.gc.ca