Letter to Editor regarding the article "Red Tape: Protecting us to death" (Globe and Mail - July 16, 2012)

2012-117
July 20, 2012
For immediate release

OTTAWA - I read with interest Margaret Wente's column ("Red Tape: Protecting us to death, July 16), and would like to clarify Health Canada's position on inspections of garage sales.

Ms. Wente's column suggested that Health Canada routinely inspects personal garage sales. That is not the case.

Health Canada's priority is the health and safety of Canadians. When enforcing the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, Health Canada inspectors focus their efforts where there is the highest risk.

For the potential risks posed by certain second-hand products that might be sold at garage sales, such as old cribs and bassinets, Health Canada emphasizes consumer education, providing Canadians with the information they need to make smart choices about the products they buy.

Health Canada inspectors will not be showing up at garage sales, unless the department has received a complaint that gives it reason to believe there is a health and safety concern that merits follow-up. We focus inspection efforts on flea markets, pawn shops, and thrift stores - retailers that are in the regular business of selling second-hand products; not Canadians who occasionally hold a garage sale.

Sincerely,

Hilary Geller
Assistant Deputy Minister
Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch
Health Canada,
Ottawa, ON

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