A coalition of public-sector unions and farm advocates is warning that Ottawa’s plan to cut hundreds of food inspection jobs, combined with new powers proposed in Bill C-30 could undermine Canada’s food safety system and concentrate too much authority in cabinet.  

Representatives from the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the Agricultural Union, the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada and the National Farmers Union held a press conference on Thursday to lay out concerns regarding provisions from the 2026 Spring Economic Update. 

“This could have devastating results for consumers, producers, and to the reputation of Canada’s food system,” said Sharon DeSousa, National President of the Public Service Alliance of Canada. 

Introduced in April, Bill C-30 largely implements measures from the federal government’s spring economic updates, but it also proposes amendments to several statutes, including the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act. 

READ MORE: Spring Economic update: Deficit down $11 billion from last fall’s projection, but no return to balance on the horizon

Under the proposed change, the Governor in Council would be able to grant temporary exemptions from certain regulatory requirements, on the recommendation of the appropriate minister, to address serious risks to domestic economic or food security. 

Unions and farm representatives argued that the measure would effectively allow cabinet to suspend some food safety requirements for up to six years without parliamentary debate.  

Food inspectors are responsible for enforcing regulations, manage viral outbreaks and help prevent unsafe products from reaching consumers.  

“They help prevent contaminated food from reaching dinner tables, they prevent zoonotic diseases from spreading, they protect consumers, producers, workers and Canada’s international reputation, they also help ensure that the food we import meets safety and quality standards expected by Canadians,” Katie Francis, spokesperson for the Professional Institute of the Public service of Canada said. 

Francis argued that the proposed change could create “loopholes” in food safety laws, adding that regulatory requirements is what keeps science independent.  

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency rejected that suggestion, instead, they said the new authority and the process will be “transparent.” 

“The government will be required to clearly explain its decision and the necessity for the measures taken,” CFIA wrote in a statement sent to iPolitics. 

The CFIA said a public notice will be issued before any exemption orders take effect. In a hypothetical scenario, CFIA said if there are any significant losses to a specific food crop, that’s when a “time-limited” exemption will be enforced. 

The government argues the changes are intended to improve its ability to respond to disruptions affecting Canada’s food supply. 

Additionally, a spokesperson from the Health Minister’s office cited rising food costs as the major reason why the government has decided to amend the mandates set out in the CFIA act. 

“These changes maintain the primary objective of protecting the health and safety of Canadians and the environment, while strengthening our government’s commitment to food sovereignty,” Alexandre Bergeron, press secretary to the Office of the Minister of Health wrote in a statement to iPolitics. 

Bill C-30 is currently before the Senate awaiting its second reading.