Saskatchewan Oilseed Producers Gain Access to Quebec Market

Released on December 8, 2014

Chalk up a major internal trade win for Saskatchewan, as the province’s oilseed producers and processors now have access to the large Quebec market.

Last week, the Government of Quebec made changes to its Food Products Act removing barriers to the production and sale of vegetable oil-based dairy products.  Those barriers were successfully challenged this spring by the Saskatchewan government under the pan-Canadian Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT).

The Saskatchewan government had also successfully challenged Quebec labelling laws that prohibit the use of terms like ‘milk’, ‘butter’ and ‘cheese’ for dairy substitute products.  While those rules remain in place for now, last week’s changes mean that Saskatchewan edible oil products can now be freely sold in Quebec.

“This is a welcome and overdue development for our producers,” Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart said.  “They now have more market access opportunities for the many products that use Saskatchewan edible oil ingredients, such as certain margarines, coffee whiteners and dessert toppings.”

Saskatchewan’s Minister responsible for Trade Jeremy Harrison noted that there is still a formal appeal underway by the Quebec government of the earlier ruling of the AIT dispute resolution panel, but said he is confident that Saskatchewan’s successful challenge will be upheld.

“Quebec may have appealed the earlier AIT panel ruling on this issue, but we’re hopeful that its legislative actions last week reflect a genuine commitment to finally tackle these unfair barriers to trade,” Harrison said.  “We view this as a positive sign as provinces, territories and the federal government begin negotiations to improve internal trade in Canada.

“The AIT appeal panel’s final ruling is yet to come, but we believe the panel will confirm that Quebec’s amendments to its Act were indeed necessary to address unfair trade barriers.  We hope the ruling will also ensure that Quebec addresses the outstanding barriers to marketing oil-based dairy products within its borders.”

“This is a good first step on Quebec’s part under the Agreement on Internal Trade,” Vegetable Oil Industry of Canada President Sean McPhee said.  “We’re looking forward to the publication of the appeal panel’s report and Quebec’s full compliance with those findings.”

A final ruling by the appeal panel is expected to be made by the end of January.

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For more information, contact:

Bob Ellis
Intergovernmental Affairs
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2709
Email: robert.ellis@gov.sk.ca

Tiffany Stephenson
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4031
Email: tiffany.stephenson@gov.sk.ca