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Federal leaders promising to protect supply management

Federal leaders promising to protect supply management
Mar 31, 2025
By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content, Farms.com

Three leaders recently made statements on the topic

Federal leaders are making their stances on supply management known on the campaign trail.

On March 28 in Montreal, Que., Liberal Leader Mark Carney told reporters farmers in Canada’s supply managed sectors wouldn’t be used as bargaining chips in any negotiations.

“We will never have discussions with respect to supply management. It’s off the table,” he said.

Also on March 28, Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet called for the next government to legislate supply management’s protection.

At a farm in Saint-Roch-de-l’Achigan, Que., Blanchet said he wants all federal party leaders to vote in favour of a bill to protect supply management in future negotiations with the United States.

In the previous session of Parliament, the House supported Bill C-282, which protects supply management in all future trade negotiations.

But the Senate passed an amendment proposing only protecting supply management in new trade deals.

Two days earlier, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre vowed to protect Canadian dairy, egg and poultry farmers.

Previous Conservative governments negotiated trade agreements without sacrificing supply management, and a Poilievre government would to the same.

“When the Conservatives were in power previously, we had an opportunity to sign free trade agreements with dozens of countries around the world, without ever abandoning the supply management system,” he told reporters in Montmagny, Que., on March 26.

“And I will act exactly the same way when I am prime minister. I will defend farmers when it comes to supply management and protect the regions of Quebec.”

Farms.com has contacted the Liberal Party of Canada, the Conservative Party of Canada, and the Bloc, for clarification on if protecting supply management is an official party position that will be reflected in the upcoming platforms.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is yet to mention supply management during the 2025 campaign.

He committed to preserving supply management in the 2019 election.


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