Senate committee makes major changes to Bloc Québécois supply management bill

By Laura Osman, The Canadian Press on November 7, 2024.

A committee of senators voted to add a major caveat to a politically charged bill from the Bloc Québécois that's intended to protect supply management. Sen. Peter Harder addresses a news conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

OTTAWA – A committee of senators voted to add a major caveat to a politically charged bill from the Bloc Québécois that’s intended to protect supply management.

The private member’s bill seeks to protect Canada’s supply management system during international trade negotiations, and had broad support in the House of Commons from all parties.

It has been at the centre of political machinations since September, when the Bloc announced its support of the government was contingent on Parliament passing the supply management bill and a bill to boost old age security payments.

Supply management is also expected to be a pressure point in upcoming trade negotiations with the United States and Mexico in 2026.

After eight hearings on the bill, Sen. Peter Harder put forward an amendment that would exempt existing trade deals, such as the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement.

If the amendment becomes law, it would mean there is nothing to legally prevent the dairy, egg and poultry sectors from being subject to those trade talks.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2024.