Bill C-202, which prevents the minister of foreign affairs from making commitments related to dairy, poultry, or eggs in trade talks, went through its second reading, the committee stage, report stage, and third reading, all without debate on June 5.
Some members of the Canadian ag sector opposed the bill.
This legislation represents protectionism when Canada should be looking to expand trade opportunities, the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance says.
“We should be strengthening trade diversification and opening new markets for Canadian goods, not sending a message that Canada’s approach is one of protectionism,” the organization said in a June 9 statement. “It is essential to avoid allowing political imperatives take us away from our national interest, which is to deepen our trading relationships.”