Minister Aglukkaq Highlights Importance of Consumer Product Safety and Product Recalls

News Release
2010-95
June 8, 2010
For immediate release

Backgrounder on the Safety of Second-Hand Products

DARTMOUTH - The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, today reminded parents and caregivers of the risks associated with using certain unsafe consumer products, especially those intended for children.

"Last year, Health Canada posted approximately 100 recall notices for children's products. About one million consumers were affected by crib recalls alone," said Minister Aglukkaq, speaking at a Toys 'R' Us store. "I strongly urge all parents and caregivers to carefully inspect their children's cribs, strollers, and car seats and properly dispose of them if they no longer meet current safety standards."

Minister Aglukkaq was on-hand at Toys 'R' Us Canada's "Great Trade-In" event, which invites Canadians to turn in their used cribs, car seats and strollers in exchange for savings on new products. The retailer will then ensure that the turned-in products are destroyed and disposed of responsibly, recycling materials where possible. The program was designed to call attention to that fact that certain baby products should not be handed down or resold due to safety reasons.

"The "Great Trade-In" event has already resulted in hundreds of used and potentially unsafe products being brought in to our stores and removed from the stream of commerce," said Kevin Macnab, President, Toys 'R' Us, Canada. "As a company committed to the safety of children, we strongly encourage parents to take advantage of this program and help rid their homes of used cribs, car seats, strollers and travel systems that could be rendered unsafe due to today's improved product safety standards."

Minister Aglukkaq noted that Canada's current product safety law is now over 40 years old and updated legislation is needed to better protect Canadians from harmful products.

"The safety and well-being of Canadian families remains a top priority for our Government," said Minister Aglukkaq. "This government is committed to continually improving product safety and that's why the proposed Canada Consumer Product Safety Act remains a priority."

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, with Kevin Macnab, President of Toys 'R' Us Canada, visit a Toys 'R' Us store in Dartmouth on June 8, 2010, to remind parents and caregivers of the risks associated with using certain unsafe consumer products, especially those intended for children.

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Health Canada
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Josée Bellemare
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Federal Minister of Health
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