News Analysis
Ottawa and Wellington recently settled a years-long free trade dispute that will see increased dairy market access to New Zealand, while Canadian federal politicians have pledged to protect the local industry.
New Zealand has said the new deal will provide up to $129 million in export value for its dairy exporters.
The increased access for New Zealand came despite Parliament recently adopting Bill C-202 to protect Canada’s supply management system.
While trade issues are often complex, a key reason Bill C-202 didn’t apply in this dispute is that New Zealand was seeking access under terms that can be challenged through existing agreements—not a broader change to Canada’s supply management regime, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration demanded and secured during his first term. It is that type of change that Bill C-202 aims to prevent….