Update: Bill C-202 formally became law, receiving Royal Assent on June 26, 2025.
The swift passage of Bill C-202 through Parliament has drawn a polarized reaction from Canadian farm groups.
While dairy, poultry, and egg farmers are welcoming the bill, the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance, Grain Growers of Canada, and other national and provincial organizations representing export-dependent sectors say they are deeply concerned and disappointed.
C-202, which aims to protect supply management from any further concessions in future trade talks, received final approval in the Senate on June 17, less than three weeks after being introduced and then fast-tracked through the House of Commons.
Unlike its identical predecessor Bill C-282, the new bill was not referred to committee for review in the Senate before Third Reading. Several senators raised concerns about the bill again on Tuesday, but acknowledged the parliamentary tradition for the Senate to defer to the wishes of elected MPs in the House of Commons, who gave the bill unanimous approval in early June.
Dairy Farmers of Canada, Chicken Farmers of Canada, Egg Farmers of Canada, Turkey Farmers of Canada and the Canadian Hatching Egg Producers issued a joint statement on June 18 to thank Parliamentarians for passing the private member's bill.
"This strong commitment equips Canada to continue to expand market opportunities for Canadian agriculture and agri-food exports, while safeguarding the food sovereignty of our country," the supply management groups say. "Our shared priority remains to work with all MPs and Senators as they continue to support Canadian agriculture and prioritize our national food sovereignty and security by keeping supply management and any other concessions impacting our sectors off the table."
The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA), which represents industry organizations from the grain and oilseeds, beef, and pork sectors, strongly disagrees.
"This remains a flawed piece of legislation that sets a troubling precedent, undermining Canada’s longstanding commitment to the rules-based international trading system. At a time when Canada must be demonstrating leadership and consistency in defending predictable, rules-based trade, this bill sends the wrong message, both to our global partners and to Canadian exporters who depend on stable, competitive and fair access to international markets," says CAFTA, in a news release.
"Despite the government’s stated commitment to growing Canada’s economy and expanding international trade, the first bill passed by the 45th Parliament restricts our trade negotiators’ ability to secure the best possible deals for Canadians,” says Kyle Larkin, executive director of Grain Growers of Canada, in a separate statement. "This legislation received unanimous consent from Members of Parliament without consulting with the Canadians it impacts the most, forcing the Senate to fast-track a flawed bill."
MPs and Senators "chose to prioritize one group of farmers over another,” according to Saskatchewan farmer Scott Hepworth, who is currently Grain Growers' acting chair. "With Bill C-202 now passed, the government must refocus its efforts on helping grain farmers grow more food and expand our exports."
Bill C-202, which was introduced on May 29 by Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet, is identical to earlier Bloc private member's bills C-282 and C-216, both of which died in Parliament due to federal elections in 2025 and 2021.
The bill says Canada's trade minister cannot agree to any trade deal that would a) increase the tariff rate quota for dairy products, poultry, or eggs, or b) reduce the tariff on imports of supply-managed goods above the tariff rate quota.
Prime Minister Carney and U.S. President Trump are currently working on a new agreement of some kind between the two countries, while the overall Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA or USMCA) is scheduled for review, and likely renegotiation, in 2026. Grain Growers notes the Canadian government is also pursuing a free trade agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a region that holds significant potential for expanding Canada’s agriculture and agri-food exports.
