Bloc Québécois urges Mark Carney to protect dairy producers

The Bloc Québécois is urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to protect Canada's dairy producers during ongoing trade negotiations with Washington. Party leader Yves-François Blanchet called on Carney to ‘respect his word’ and commit to making no concessions regarding the supply management system, which the Prime Minister had previously pledged to protect.

Concerns have arisen following reports that the Canadian government may be open to concessions that would grant American producers increased access to Canadian and Quebec markets. While sources indicate that Ottawa has told provinces not to expect major changes to the supply management regime, there are suggestions that Canada might expand market access under current terms. Blanchet characterized such moves as a ‘sacrifice’ to Donald Trump, while agriculture spokesperson Sébastien Lemire noted that dairy producers have frequently been used as ‘bargaining chips’ in past trade deals to benefit other sectors.