The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) has added its voice to the concerns about the trade risks posed by Bill C-282.
As currently drafted, Bill C-282, An Act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act (supply management), would basically take Canada’s supply management system off the table in any future trade negotiations.
However, APAS said in a release today Bill C-282 is not about the virtues of the supply-managed system. Rather, it is about trade. And while APAS said it wholeheartedly stands behind the crucial role of supply management in ensuring Canadian food security, President Ian Boxall said there is concern the bill – which he described as a “protectionist law” – could provoke a negative reaction from Canada’s most important trading partners, particularly the US.
“With approximately two-thirds of Canada's economy relying on trade with the US, this Bill introduces unnecessary risks that could destabilize our agriculture sector,” Boxall said. “This isn’t about supply-managed commodities and APAS would be equally opposed to legislative protections for any commodity or industry.”
APAS said its main reservations regarding Bill C-282 center on its potential to create market distortions and administrative burdens that could hinder the growth and competitiveness of other commodities not under supply management.
"The bill seems to overlook the intricate dynamics between different agricultural sectors and the need for harmonious policy frameworks that propel the entire industry forward," Boxall said.
“Creating a law to protect one sector should not come at the expense of the rest. Our focus should be about finding a balance that supports supply management and market access for all agriculture commodities in trade agreements."
Provincial beef associations, including the Alberta Beef Producers and the Beef Farmers of Ontario, also oppose Bill C-282, as does the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance and the Grain Growers of Canada.
Bill C-282 was passed by the House of Commons back in June 2023 and is currently in the committee stage in the Senate.
Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet gave the Trudeau government until Oct. 29 to meet a list of conditions, including passage of Bill C-282, in exchange for the party's support in preventing an early election.
