Canada’s trade ambitions rest on a food system we’re dismantling

The assumption appears to be that fewer experts can somehow do more with less—an impossibility in a system already stretched past its limits.
Cuts to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, overseen by Health Minister Marjorie Michel, threaten one of Canada’s most valuable trade assets: confidence in our food safety, and animal and plant health systems, writes Sean O'Reilly.The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion
BY SEAN O’REILLY
March 5, 2026

Canada is entering a defining trade moment.

To keep reading, subscribe and become a political insider.

Only $7.76 a week for an annual subscription.

Enjoy unlimited website access and the digital newspaper.

Cancel anytime.

Already a Subscriber?

Get Weekend Point of View Newsletter

Top Canadian political and policy opinion and analysis. Saturdays and Sundays. Weekends.

By entering your email address you consent to receive email from The Hill Times containing news, analysis, updates and offers. You may unsubscribe at any time. See our privacy policy

Trending Stories

MOST POPULAR

MORE Opinion

The federal government has gone all-in on fossil fuels

opinionBY TIM GRAY

Canada’s climate change policies, programs can be more effective if we work with nature in addition to moving away from fossil fuels

opinionBY GREEN PARTY LEADER ELIZABETH MAY, LYNN JONES

Alberta Premier Smith has opened up a Pandora’s box of dangers arising from the referendum question which she may not control

opinionBY ERROL MENDES

Women need better health care. A national framework can help deliver it

opinionBY MARGOT BURNELL, MARCIA CLARK, SARAH COOK

Now, more than ever, Canada must strengthen co-operation with Mexico to protect rights and sovereignty

opinionBY KATHY PRICE

RELATED STORIES

U.S. a ‘wildcard’ in Canada-Mexico trade talks, but Canada has advantages in domestic energy and advanced manufacturing, say experts

newsBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

The Hill Times’ 100 Most Influential People in Politics and Government in 2026

newsBY ABBAS RANA, LAURA RYCKEWAERT, NEIL MOSS, MARLO GLASS, STUART BENSON, KATE MALLOY, SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN, JESSE CNOCKAERT, IREM KOCA, ELEANOR WAND, PETER MAZEREEUW

All eyes on Trump: meet the top 50 foreign policy influencers navigating Canada’s role in a rocky world

featureBY NEIL MOSS, STUART BENSON, IREM KOCA

It’s Carney’s world: proximity matters for the top 50 influencing Canadian foreign policy

featureBY NEIL MOSS, STUART BENSON, IREM KOCA, MARLO GLASS

Carney sets out to repair Canada-Mexico strife ahead of CUSMA review 

newsBY NEIL MOSS