Private Member’s Bill C-291 would secure mandatory labelling of genetically modified (GM) foods in Canada. Thank you for taking action to support this bill.
Updated May 10
Private Member’s Bill C-291 was put forward by Member of Parliament Pierre-Luc Dusseault (Sherbrooke, Quebec). Bill C-291 is an “An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (genetically modified food)” and simply states “No person shall sell any food that is genetically modified unless its label contains the information prescribed under paragraph 30(1)(b.2).” The bill leaves the specifics to be defined by the Health Committee and government.
Important Dates
- One hour of debate on Bill C-291 is scheduled for May 10 in the House of Commons
- The vote on Bill C-291 is scheduled for May 17
Information Resources
- Click here for some responses to arguments against GM food labelling
- This is a list of all the polls over twenty years – the vast majority of Canadians want labelling
- New! Labelling on Genetically Modified Foods – A CBAN Briefing. May 2017
- This is a briefing on GMOs that you could print for your MP.
List of action tools
- Online letter that goes to your own MP (hosted by CBAN)
- Online petition (hosted by the Member of Parliament sponsoring the bill)
- Flyer to share in your community
- Poster to post in your community
Amplify Your Actions
The most effective action will be constituents contacting their own Members of Parliament to ask them to support Bill C-291. This action kit provides tools for individual and collective action, focused on reaching out to Members of Parliament.
Contact your Member of Parliament
You are a voter. This makes your voice important to your Member of Parliament. With one or two actions, you can amplify your voice. The more time and effort you put in, the more attention your MP will pay.
TIP: You can find the contact details and other information for your Member of Parliament using your postal code at www.parl.gc.ca Some MPs also have their own websites, Facebook pages and Twitter feeds.
- Send the instant action to your MP from CBAN’s website or send your own email or handwritten letter to your Member of Parliament.
- Call your MP’s office and ask to speak with your MP or leave a message for them.
- If you get a response (you should), feel free to write back a second time. Contact us if you would like to discuss how to respond.
- You can also ask for a meeting with your MP. You can get a few friends together and prepare to present your case together. Contact us if you would like support.
Spread the Word Online
- CBAN is hosting an instant action letter function which allows individuals to easily email their own MP. You can share this CBAN page on Facebook and encourage people to take action.
- CBAN has a Facebook graphic that you can post on Facebook or use on Twitter.
- You can look up your MP’s twitter handle and include this in any tweet or Facebook posting. Many MPs respond to tweets from their constituents.
- If you have a website, post campaign information and a link to CBAN’s campaign page. Contact us to get graphic files.
Spread the Word in Your Community:
Your local health food store could put this poster in the window or another place where posters go! or you can post it around town. Print and distribute this small action flyer.
Let us know if your health food store helps out. CBAN provides other material on GM foods for health food stores.