The politicians’ report said Canadian agriculture is being hurt by subsidies that are projected to reach $2 trillion a year by 2030.
China supported its farmers with $212 billion in market supports and direct subsidies in 2016, the European Union with $100 billion, the United States with $33 billion and Canada with $5 billion.
The U.S. subsidies were much higher under former U.S. president Donald Trump who lavished tens of billions for China trade compensation and COVID-19 relief.
Grain Growers of Canada told the committee that non-tariff barriers have restricted access to foreign markets and Canola Growers of Canada said the drive to globally reduce farm subsidies has stalled.
The committee called on the World Trade Organization to address these barriers and the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance said these regulations ought to be based entirely on science.
Two researchers from Quebec urged more attention to climate change and said farm subsidies for environmental services ought to be allowed.
