Supply-managed organizations react to throne speech inclusion

Egg Farmers of Canada welcomed the support for supply management

Industries representing Canadian agriculture’s supply management sector are pleased with supply management’s inclusion in May 27’s throne speech.

“Egg Farmers of Canada welcomes the Government of Canada's overall recognition in the Speech from the Throne of the importance of agriculture and its support for supply management’s role in maintaining a strong Canadian food system—one that delivers a reliable supply of the high-quality and nutritious eggs that Canadians want and expect,” the organization told Farms.com in an emailed statement. “We look forward to working across Canada's egg farming sector to continue to support the food sovereignty and food security of our country and the economic viability of communities from coast-to-coast.”

“We welcome the Speech from the Throne’s commitment to protect supply management,” the Canadian Hatching Egg Producers said on X. “Hatching egg producers are proud to help feed Canadians with locally produced food and look forward to working with MPs and Senators throughout the 45^th Parliament.”

"Dairy Farmers of Canada welcomes the commitment to protecting Canada's system of supply management included in the Speech from the Throne,” David Wiens, president of Dairy Farmers of Canada, told Farms.com in an emailed statement. “The reinforcement of supply management as integral to providing Canadians with fresh, healthy, and quality food was also heartening. We look forward to working with all MPs and Senators on behalf of Canada’s dairy farmers as we continue to deliver quality Canadian dairy that supports our nation's food sovereignty and security."

While outlining Prime Minister Mark Carney’s plan for his government on Tuesday, the remarks King Charles III read mentioned agriculture and specifically supply management.

This came during a section of the speech about building a united Canada.

“During this time of great change, Canadians are uniting behind what makes Canada unique,” the king said.

“The French language and the Quebec culture are at the heart of the Canadian identity. They define the country that Canadians and I love so much. Canada is a country that respects and celebrates its official languages and Indigenous languages. The government is determined to protect the institutions that bring these cultures and this identity to the world, like CBC/Radio-Canada. It will protect the people who give us access to fresh, healthy and quality food: agricultural producers. And it will protect supply management.”

The Liberal platform included a promise to protect supply management.

And new minister of agriculture Heath MacDonald has reaffirmed that commitment.

“Supply management is off the table. It’s a flat-out no. No discussion on it, and that’s the attitude we’re going to take,” he told The Guardian in an interview.