International trade minister urges Senate to speed up study of Bloc's supply management bill

The Liberals are urging the Senate to speed up its study of the Bloc Québécois's supply management trade bill as the government's window to meet the Bloc's ultimatum starts to close.

Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet gave the Trudeau government until Oct. 29 to meet a list of conditions, including passage of Bill C-282, in exchange for the party's support in preventing an early election.

The Bloc private member's bill would prevent Canadian trade negotiators from giving up any more concessions on Canada's highly protected dairy, egg and poultry sectors. It was passed by the House of Commons in June 2023.

Blanchet also asked the government to push through Bill C-319, which would hike Old Age Security payouts by 10 per cent for seniors between the ages of 65 and 74.

On Oct. 17, International Trade Minister Mary Ng wrote to Sen. Peter Boehm asking him and his committee to consider expediting the study of Bill C-282 so that it can reach third reading as quickly as possible.

The letter was also signed by Bloc MP Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, NDP MP Blake Desjarlais and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. 

Following up on a letter she sent Boehm on Oct. 9, Ng expressed concern over the fact that the Senate's clause-by-clause study of the bill is not expected to take place until the week of Nov. 4.

"We are eager to see your committee complete the work as quickly as possible by respectfully asking that you revisit your work plan," Ng wrote.

In a reply sent on Oct. 21, however, Boehm reminded Ng that the Senate does not prioritize private member's bills passed by the House.

As chair of the standing Senate committee on foreign affairs and international trade, he confirmed the bill most likely will be studied clause-by-clause during the first week of November.

"I have made clear publicly and privately, despite any negative perceptions, that this Committee is taking its work on Bill C-282 very seriously and is conducting a fair, balanced and timely study of this consequential bill," Boehm wrote.

He also noted that Bill C-282 "did not draw the current attention of the government, nor that of others who have criticized the Committee" until the Bloc issued its ultimatum on Sept. 25 — the day the committee started studying the bill.

"We have much respect for the will of the elected House, and indeed our elected colleagues, but Senate committees direct their own proceedings, as does the Senate itself," he wrote.

The Liberals' nudge to the Senate comes weeks after the Bloc leader suggested that the legislative process was being delayed.

During question period on Oct. 2, Blanchet called the Senate "illegitimate" and accused it of leading Prime Minister Justin Trudeau "around by the nose."

"It is his senators, the ones he appointed, who are standing in the way," Blanchet said, reminding Trudeau that his government is at stake. "Will he instruct them to respect democracy and our choices as elected representatives?"

Trudeau replied that the Senate is "doing its job" and is independent, citing his decision as Liberal leader to remove senators from his caucus and the non-partisan process he initiated for appointing senators.

"We are going to allow democracy to function without interference. However, we have always been clear. We will defend supply management," he said.