Bloc Urges Passing of Supply Management Bill, Raises Concerns About Trade Talks Impact
In exchange for supporting the Liberals in non-confidence votes, the Bloc Québécois is insisting that the federal government pass legislation removing Canada’s supply management system from trade negotiations. Some opponents fear this could weaken Ottawa’s bargaining power, while supporters argue it is crucial for protecting certain industries.
To avoid a non-confidence vote, the Liberal government must secure the Bloc Québécois’ support by meeting an Oct. 29 deadline to pass two private member’s bills sponsored by Bloc MPs.
Bill C-319, which is currently in its third reading in the House of Commons, seeks to amend the Old Age Security Act to provide a 10 percent increase in benefits for Canadians aged 65 to 74, costing over $3 billion annually according to estimates.
The second bill demanded by the Bloc, Bill C-282, focuses on supply management and is under consideration in the Senate committee. This bill aims to prevent the Foreign Affairs Minister from committing to increasing tariff rates or lowering tariffs on imported dairy, poultry, or eggs above set quotas in international trade agreements.
Canada’s supply management system regulates production and demand for dairy, chicken, turkey, and eggs by controlling imports to maintain stable prices for consumers and farmers. This system, established in 1972, implements tariffs of up to 300 percent on products like butter.
When Bloc MP Luc Thériault introduced Bill C-282 in June 2022, he emphasized the need to protect Canada’s supply management system in future trade negotiations. He pointed out the negative impacts of trade agreements like the CPTPP and CUSMA on Canada’s agricultural sector.
Bill C-282 was approved in the House of Commons but faces scrutiny in the Senate over its potential impact on future trade negotiations, especially with a CUSMA review on the horizon in 2026.
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