CAFTA’s Statement on Bill C-282 Passing Second Reading
Feb 9, 2023
Ottawa, ON – February 9, 2023 –Dan Darling, President of the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) today issued the statement below regarding the passing of the second reading for Bill C-282: An Act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act (supply management).
“CAFTA members, who represent 90 per cent of Canadian farmers, producers, food manufacturers and agri-food businesses who depend on trade, strongly oppose Bill C-282: An Act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act (supply management).
“This legislation creates a dangerous precedent and diminishes Canada as a free trade partner. It contradicts established trade rules and severely constrains Canada’s ability to negotiate the best free trade agreements for all sectors of the Canadian economy, agriculture and non-agriculture alike. The end result is a less ambitious free trade agenda and less commercially meaningful outcomes for Canada.
“Past agreements show we can defend and protect Canadian interests across the board when negotiating trade agreements. Today, Canada is an international leader in free and fair trade. Bill C-282 puts our record of support for free trade in jeopardy and has the potential to set us back decades.
“While Bill C-282 has passed second reading, we strongly encourage Parliamentarians of all stripes to consider the long-term damage that will be caused by this bill becoming law and ensure this is carefully considered before it moves any further through the Parliamentary process.
“International trade accounts for nearly two thirds of Canada’s national economy and supports more than 1 out of every 6 jobs. It is also how Canada contributes on the international stage to safeguarding global food security.
“Simply put: free and open trade is essential to the economic wellbeing and prosperity of all Canadians. Bill C-282 runs counter to this wellbeing and should be voted down at the next available opportunity.”
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