Today, Cheryl participated in a consultation on new regulations under Canadas new Food Safety Act. She distributed a brief position paper to promote plain language and suggest practical steps. Canadian Food Inspection Agency Consultation October 31, 2013 Vancouver, BC Plain Language is a label for clear communication. Clear communication is possible in law and regulation in addition to materials prepared for the consumer. 1. Consumers must be able to understand food labels. Retailers and producers must be able to understand directives, regulations, and laws. In fact, the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada says that all government communications, internal and external, should be in plain language. (see policy requirement 3: tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=12316§ion=text) Solution: Communications managed or governed by the Food Inspection Agency of Canada and the relevant law and regulations must be written in clear and easily-understood language. To that end, government must employ professional editors. Both editors and others, who write in their professional capacities, must receive suitable training in clear communication. 2. Food retailers, producers, and importers will more readily comply with labeling requirements if they can understand them. • Rules must be clear and understandable to ensure compliance. Many importers do not speak English or French as their first language, so import rules need to be in plain language. • Many lawyers serving retailers, producers, and importers insist that materials they write “track the language” in the statute or regulation. Over 30 years ago, the Canadian Bar Association and the Canadian Bankers Association endorsed plain language in law. Solution: Canada’s statute law and regulations must be written in plain language in compliance with the Government of Canada’s Communication Policy. 3. Plain language laws and regulations facilitate compliance and respect the citizen’s right to know the law. The Commonwealth Association of Legislative Counsel supports drafting with clarity with its commitment to promoting the drafting of clear and effective legislation in the Commonwealth. Solution: The Cabinet Directive on Law-making must be amended to require that Canadian laws be written in clear and easily-understood language.
Posted on: Fri, 01 Nov 2013 06:54:56 +0000
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