Pandemic bill poses food security threat
Bill C-293, the Pandemic Prevention and Preparedness Act, passed third reading in the House of Commons on June 5.
The Senate has passed first reading of the bill and second reading is in now in debate.
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The Canadian Federation of Agriculture addressed the controversy of the legislation in response to an editorial titled, “Is Bill C-293 Canada’s Vegan Act?”
Sylvain Charlebois, senior director of Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab, said the bill “represents unprecedented governmental intrusion into personal dietary choices and market dynamics.”
Keith Currie, president of the CFA, does not think Charlebois’s concern is “overblown.”
The CFA and other producer groups are concerned that “promoting alternative proteins and phasing out, high-risk species” is indicative of an “ideologically driven agenda.”
As advocates for the national interest of Canada’s farmers, the CFA must present a submission to the Senate committee.
The issue is clear — Bill C-293 is a threat to the livelihood of present and future farming generations. It is a threat to food security.
Robert Hollis,
Stop C-293 Committee, Toronto
