By Alice McFarlane

Canadian Agri-Food industry speaks out on proposed trade legislation

Jun 3, 2025 | 9:52 AM

The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) is urging Members of Parliament and Senators to reject a bill that would handcuff Canada’s trade negotiators and undermine Canada’s trade policy.

Bill C-202 is a Bloc Québécois Private Member’s Bill aimed at protecting supply management in trade agreements.

CAFTA President Greg Northey said Canada is already facing rising trade uncertainty.

“As with previous iterations of this bill, C-202 would undermine Canada’s agri-food sector, damage our trade relationships, and harm the thousands of farmers, ranchers, processors, and agri-food exporters who rely on open access to global markets to make a living,” he said.

Northey added disputes with key partners remain unresolved, implementation of existing agreements has been slow, and global protectionism continues to grow — placing pressure on Canada’s ability to maintain reliable access to export markets.

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CAFTA Executive Director Michael Harvey said Bill C-202 risks limiting Canada’s trade objectives at a time when we must be even more ambitious in existing and new markets.

“This bill sets a dangerous precedent that will harm Canada’s trade posture and limit our ability to negotiate in good faith with trading partners. Our trade negotiators must be empowered to get the best trade deals for Canada, particularly as the federal government negotiates a new economic and security relationship with the U.S” he said. “Bill C-202, or similar bills for other sectors of the economy, will put Canada in a more tenuous position with our international trading partners.”

With approximately a third of the House of Commons being new Members of Parliament, CAFTA urged Members not to provide unanimous consent to bypass the House’s parliamentary processes and send Bill C-202 directly to the Senate.

Harvey said the bill, and its implications for Canada’s trade policy at a time of geopolitical and trade uncertainty, should be studied thoroughly by the House and Senate with a wide array of stakeholders both inside and outside of agriculture.

He added Bill C-202 is not an agriculture bill; it is a bill that will have implications for all sectors of the economy that export and in turn support the quality of life of Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

CAFTA urged all parliamentarians to stand up for Canadian farmers, ranchers, and the agri-food sector, and reject Bill C-202.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com