It is almost inconceivable that Bill C-293 remains largely unknown among Canadians, given its potential to significantly expand governmental powers in response to future pandemics.
A detailed examination of the bill does more than sow confusion about its intentions — it reveals a troubling spirit at its core.
Bill C-293, a private member’s bill that recently advanced through the House of Commons with little resistance, purports to bolster Canada’s pandemic preparedness. Yet, a deeper analysis exposes provisions that could disastrously impact the agriculture and agri-food sector, which are vital to our national economy and food security.
Under this bill, public health officials could have the authority to close facilities they consider “high risk,” such as meatpacking plants, during pandemics and even “mandate” the consumption of vegetable proteins by Canadians — measures that border on the absurd. It’s hardly surprising that the private member who introduced Bill C-293 is Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, who is known for his vegan lifestyle.
The ease with which this legislation passed highlights a disconcerting disconnection and dysfunction within our Parliament, where normally, proposals of such magnitude would undergo extensive debate and scrutiny.
Currently, the Senate, which is now reviewing Bill C-293, is inundated with more than 120 letters daily from concerned groups and citizens, all apprehensive about the bill’s broad regulatory reach and its implications.
One of the most alarming aspects of Bill C-293 is the discretionary power it would grant to officials to shut down agricultural facilities without clear, objective criteria. Such arbitrary actions could disrupt not only meat supply chains but also the wider agricultural operations linked to them, including feed production. This threatens to destabilize related sectors and could trigger cascading effects throughout the entire food system.
Moreover, legislating the consumption of vegetable proteins represents an unprecedented governmental intrusion into personal dietary choices and market dynamics. This could severely disrupt the economic balance of the agri-food sector, adversely affecting everyone from livestock producers to participants in traditional protein markets.
Additionally, the bill seeks to regulate and possibly phase out certain farming practices considered high-risk for pandemic propagation. This could abruptly alter farming operations, affect livelihoods, and hinder the economic stability of numerous producers, making a transition to purportedly safer practices impractical.
Farming is woven into the fabric of our national identity, with modern livestock agriculture playing an indispensable role. Bill C-293, however, goes so far as to pick winners and losers within the agricultural sector, sidelining segments that have made substantial contributions to our economy.
While promoting alternative proteins may align with global moves toward more sustainable food systems, the directive approach of Bill C-293 risks stifling innovation. Predetermining market winners and imposing dietary changes in the name of overly cautious risk management could impair the ability of Canada’s agri-food industries to adapt to market demands and consumer preferences.
As it currently stands, Bill C-293 presents considerable risks to the stability and sustainability of Canada’s crucial agricultural and agri-food sector. The Senate must decisively reject this bill.
Beyond its implications for food policy, Bill C-293 also reflects broader concerns about the state of our democracy and the level of public awareness in Canada. The fact that this bill has remained under the radar until now speaks volumes about the current state of public engagement and information. If more Canadians were aware, there’s little doubt this bill would face overwhelming opposition.
— Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is the Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University and co-host of The Food Professor Podcast.