Battle lines between Canada’s farmers over trade rules are forming in the Senate, setting up a fight that could topple the government.
Driving the news: Bill C-282, a private member’s bill backed by the Bloc Québécois that would exempt supply-managed agricultural sectors from future trade deals, is facing stiff opposition in the Senate.
- The legislation has become a flashpoint because the Bloc has threatened to bring down the Liberal government if it doesn’t pass by the end of the month.
Catch-up: Canada’s agriculture sector uses a supply management system to control the production and prices of dairy, meat, and other food products.
- That system limits how much of those goods can be imported. The bill would prevent the federal government from allowing the share of those imports in the market to rise above current levels.
Why it’s happening: Dairy and poultry farmers (mostly in Quebec and Ontario) don’t want more imports cutting into their business. They’re opposed by beef and grain farmers who export more of their products and want access to foreign markets.
Why it matters: The stakes in this fight are unusually high. If the bill passes, it would likely upset key trade partners and complicate the upcoming renegotiation of the CUSMA deal in 2026.
- If the Senate delays or blocks the bill, however, the Bloc could move to bring down the government and trigger a fall election.
What’s next: Two key senators on the committee reviewing the bill have said they’ll oppose it — that could mean it gets voted down or sent back to the House, creating delays that pose a risk to the government’s survival.—TS