If you've been following the recommended changes to the Canadian food guide and are aware of the current NAFTA re-negotiations, you'll know the Canadian dairy industry is facing pivotal challenges and currently grazing the edge of a crucial crossroad. Now, due to these developments, they have taken to soliciting support from Canadians to recognize dairy as an important part of our health and economy in hopes of ensuring its place both in our homes and on store shelves.

Fortunately, however, most Canadians are now well-aware that dairy consumption is not suitable for humans. Compounded by its cruel and unethical practice and the devastating effects of cattle farming on the environment, there is a dire need to step up and push back on the milk industry's pleading mandate to maintain its stance in the food chain. 

This petition demands that the government uphold current recommendations leaving dairy off the CFG and requests that the government support the industry towards a more viable way forward. We ask that the government divests in the dairy industry and instead focuses on helping transition dairy farms to produce alternate products of the more ethical, sustainable and health-conscious kind. We ask that, instead of holding on to this cultural norm and practice, we move forward beyond dairy and adopt more sustainable and healthy farming practices Canadians can be proud of. Specifically, we ask Executive Director of Policy, Planning, and Integration, Colette Kaminsky of AAFC, Minister of Heath,Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Assistant Deputy Minister and Director General of Health Products and Food Branch at Health Canada, Pierre Sabourin and Hasan Hutchinson to come together to discuss this avenue with a proposed strategic plan.

In doing so, the government of Canada will benefit in taking this proactive and progressive stance by supporting a slow transition instead of facing inevitable and sudden country-wide farm closures that will consequently affect many livelihoods and the economy. Additionally, its support will help Canadians best meet our green house gas emissions goal by eliminating its number one producer. And lastly, by reducing the industry's stronghold, Canadians will no longer receive confusing messages about dairy and health which will be sure to unburden the health care system and help empower Canadians to regain responsibility of their own health. Because let's face it, when it comes to health, If you're not supporting the truth, you're not supporting your people.

At this point in time, the Canadian milk industry doesn't need to garner support from Canadians; it is beyond this. As more and more individuals are moving away from dairy every day, the right way forward is not to resist change but instead to embrace it with grace. 

Again, you don't need dairy supporters; you need progressive change makers.

More information can be found here:

• Dr. Michael Greger on Dairy
• Dr. John McDougall on Dairy
• Dr. Mark Hyman on Dairy
• Dr. Neil Barnard on Dairy
• Expert panel on Dairy
• Dr. Michael Klapper on Dairy
• Decrease in Canadian Dairy consumption
• Milk can now be claimed as inhumane
• Dairy cruelty explained in 5 minutes
• Supporting documentaries: Cowspiracy, What The Health, Forks Over Knives, Food Inc., Earthlings