As the voice for Canada's direct selling industry, the DSA positions many hot-button concerns on the radar of key levels of government through our Government Affairs Committee and its subcommittee for Taxation and for Health Canada.

Hot Topics

More recently, the DSA committees have been involved in issues that include:
  • Bill C-51
  • the amendment to the Telecommunications Act reflecting the implementation of a national do-not-call list;
  • the amendment to Cosmetic Regulations with the implementation of mandatory ingredient labeling;
  • a proposal for a new Canada Health Protection Act that will replace the Food & Drugs Act, among others;
  • tax requirements for independent sales consultants;
  • and provincially, eco/environmental mandates on packaging, compensation for reclaiming residual materials, etc.

Meeting Summaries

DSA executives enjoyed positive, supportive meetings with the Prime Minister's Office and the Standing Committee on Health to unclog the backlog of registrations due to new, onerous mandates of the Natural Health Products Regulations.

Requesting a status update from the Therapeutic Products Directorate, the DSA learned there's no longer a prohibition on four (4) previously banned active ingredients in sun screens. We then advised members to review the revised monograph at Health Canada.

The DSA joined others in a coalition that met with a Federal Finance advisor to oppose a proposed net income test and the introduction of REOP.

The DSA, part of a government committee for Alberta / B.C., met to build a ground breaking internal trade agreement that also amalgamates legislation with the promise to include direct sellers.

The DSA met with Eco Entreprises Quebec to oppose exemptions and small business fees as proposed in Quebec's new compensation regime to reclaim residual materials. Also, the DSA surveyed its members to develop our position and determine if/how to negotiate on members' behalf.