C-252Child Health Protection Act
An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibition of food and beverage marketing directed at children)
Private member's bill, introduced in the House of Commons on February 9, 2022
- Status
- Defeated at third reading in the Senate
What it does
Bans ads for certain high sugar, high salt or high fat foods that are mainly aimed at children under 13.
What it does
- Prohibits advertising prescribed foods, set by regulation, that exceed prescribed levels of sugars, saturated fat or sodium, when the ads are primarily directed at children under 13.
- Protects trademark registrations by saying compliance with this ban does not make a trademark invalid or count as non-use under the Trademarks Act.
- Requires a parliamentary committee review before the fifth anniversary of the new rules, including whether advertising shifts toward people aged 13 to 17.
- Lets regulations set the factors for deciding when advertising is mainly directed at children, limit the kinds of advertising covered, and define “sugars” and “saturated fat”.
- Brings the act into force on a day fixed by the Governor in Council.
Who it affects
- Children under 13
- Food and beverage companies
- Advertisers
- Trademark owners
- Parliamentary committees
Background
The bill amends the Food and Drugs Act by adding new rules on advertising directed at children. It also gives regulation-making powers for how the ban will work.
Where it is
House of Commons
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Completed.
Report stage
Completed.
Third reading
Completed.
Senate
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Completed.
Third reading
Defeated here. Defeated
Royal assent
Royal assent
Not reached.
Introduced by an MP who is not a minister. These bills compete in a lottery for debate time, and most do not become law. How a bill becomes law
How the House voted
3rd reading and adoption of Bill C-252, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibition of food and beverage marketing directed at children)
Vote 429,
Passed
208 yeato116 nay · 6 paired
Party breakdown for vote 429 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Yea 152 0 6 Conservative Nay 0 116 1 Bloc Yea 30 0 2 NDP Yea 22 0 3 Green Yea 2 0 0 Independent Yea 2 0 1 Total 208 116 2nd reading of Bill C-252, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibition of food and beverage marketing directed at children)
Vote 181,
Passed
209 yeato113 nay · 6 paired
Party breakdown for vote 181 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Yea 150 0 8 Conservative Nay 0 113 5 Bloc Yea 31 0 1 NDP Yea 24 0 1 Green Yea 2 0 0 Independent Yea 2 0 0 Total 209 113
What MPs said
Each party’s first speech on this bill in the House, from Hansard. Excerpts are the speaker’s opening sentences, unedited.
LiberalPatricia Lattanzio· May 6, 2022
“I am pleased to rise in the House today to take part in the discussion on Bill C-252, which aims to support restrictions on commercial marketing and advertising on certain foods and beverages to children. Today's food environment is diverse and includes access to fast foods and ultraprocessed foods, which makes it difficult for Canadians to make healthy food choices.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caConservativeMarilyn Gladu· May 6, 2022
“In one of the previous Parliaments, I was actually the health critic when the former version of this bill came forward from the Senate. We know that Senator Nancy Greene Raine had brought that bill forward.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caBlocChristine Normandin· May 6, 2022
“I am very pleased to rise today to speak to Bill C-252, which was introduced by the member for Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel. Basically, this bill seeks to amend the Food and Drugs Act to specifically prohibit the marketing of “foods and beverages that contribute to excess sugar, saturated fats or sodium in children’s diets” to persons who are under 13 years of age.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caNDPBonita Zarrillo· May 6, 2022
“Young kids would rather eat rocks covered with stickers than a fresh banana.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.ca
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: At third reading in the Senate. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.