Petition to Legalize Raw Milk in Canada

Canada is a global outlier when it comes to raw milk laws

Canada is the only G7 nation with a total consumer ban on raw milk. In most other countries, consumers purchase raw milk directly from local farms, often without oversight. Several bordering American states like Montana and Minnesota allow unregulated farm-gate sales from small farms. Additionally, 12 U.S. states, including neighbours like Maine and Washington, permit regulated retail sales. Others allow farm-gate sales with proper licensing. Ironically, Canadians can legally cross the border, purchase raw milk, and bring it home. Yet, our own farmers face harsh penalties, including potential jail time and hefty fines, simply for sharing a surplus with a neighbour. This makes no sense.

Effective health protection without mandatory pasteurization

Many U.S. and Canadian farmers already produce raw milk without specific training, licensing, or testing, yet severe illness and death is rare. Pasteurized milk, despite heavy regulation and oversight, still causes occasional illnesses and deaths. This discrepancy begs the question: Why is Health Canada mandating pasteurization as if it were the only sure way to prevent serious foodborne illness and death from consuming milk? Evidence from other jurisdictions suggests that a system combining legalization, licensing, safety standards, and education is a more effective way to manage risk than a ban that is being ignored.

Canadians should be Free to Make Informed Dietary Decisions

Canadians deserve the right to make informed dietary decisions, especially in a world saturated with chemical fertilizers, pesticides, factory-farmed products, and ultra-processed foods. Choosing unprocessed milk is a conscious health decision for many Canadians. The current ban implies raw milk is more dangerous than numerous legal substances and foods: alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and the chemicals sprayed on and used in food processing – with many linked to cancer and other chronic illnesses. Consumers can already choose to consume raw meat, fish, oysters, honey, and eggs. Why not raw milk?!