On March 9, 2023, the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) President Nathan Phinney and Executive Vice president Dennis Laycraft appeared before the House Standing Committee in International Trade (CIIT) to provide testimony on Bill C-282: An Act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act (supply management). Bill C-282 was first introduced to the House of Commons on June 13, 2022, as a Private Member’s Bill from Member of Parliament Luc Theriault. The Bill seeks to prevent the Minister of Trade from giving any concessions in supply management products in future trade negotiations.
Alongside CCA, the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA), also provided testimony to the committee urging Members of Parliament to reconsider their support for Bill C-282. For the beef industry, increased trade and market access into other countries have allowed for the continued growth and profitability of the sector. CCA highlighted that since the start of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the removal of tariffs that followed, Canada's beef exports increased 192 per cent to Japan. In 2022 we exported $500 million to Japan in beef and beef products. Additionally, when NAFTA was adopted, the Canadian beef industry saw an increase in value exports of 650 per cent from 1994-2022.
CCA President Nathan Phinney made it clear to Parliamentarians that Bill C-282 jeopardizes the growth and sustainability of the beef sector as producers export approximately 50 per cent of what is produced in Canada. Without these high-value agreements (i.e., CUSMA, CPTPP) the Canadian beef industry would not be exporting record values and volumes. As of 2022, the beef industry exported C$6 billion in beef, beef products and live cattle.
CAFTA President Dan Darling expressed to the committee that “Bill C-282 reduces our opportunity to participate and gain market access in various bilateral and multilateral negotiations.” Ultimately, this bill will put Canada in a collision course with the United States and other major trading partners, especially when it’s time to renew, extend or modernize existing trade agreements. As a trade-dependent country, Bill C-282 risks Canada’s economic growth. This legislation will not only jeopardize market access opportunities for agriculture, but it will also affect all other Canadian export-oriented sectors.
The study on Bill C-282 will continue in the coming weeks, with other CAFTA members testifying to the committee. CCA and CAFTA will continue to work together to advocate against Bill C-282 and keep engaging with Parliamentarians on this Bill.
Below is CCA President Nathan Phinney delivering opening remarks to CIIT Committee Members: