Supply management debate returns to Parliament

- By Calvin Daniels

June 8, 2025

key points from this story:

• Bloc Quebecois introduces Bill C-202
• Bill aims to protect supply management
• Debate renewed amid US trade uncertainty
• Trump’s policies impact Canadian trade
• Supply management ensures domestic food security
• Bill sent to Senate without debate

Supply-management is about as divisive a set of words as there is in terms of Canadian agriculture. Some see the supply management system used in Canadian dairy, egg and poultry production as a ‘poker chip’ they’d gladly toss into the pot sacrificing the system in hopes of freer trade access in general for Canadian ag production. Supply management proponents say they’ve given up enough, and don’t want the system weakened further.

The debate is back on the front burner thanks to the Bloc Quebecois who have returned the contentious topic to the parliamentary agenda, having introduced a bill to protect supply management. Party leader Yves-Francois Blanchet introduced Bill C-202 May 29, and on June 5 it was sent to the Senate without any debate. It follows Bill C-282 in the last Parliament and C-216 in the one before that. Neither of those bills made it fully through the parliamentary process. So let’s not hold our breath that this effort will result in anything more than continued debate.