I don’t understand why those would cost 40%+ more. We produce these products here, and they are subsidized, so what exactly accounts for such a disproportionate consumer cost?
They are not subsidized, at least not in the traditional sense of the word. They are supply managed. That means the supply of product is artificially constrained. Think of it like a “shortage”, except created on purpose by the government.
And these same products are not supply managed in other countries? If not, how come? If so, why are Canadian consumers paying a disproportionately high amount for them?
Fair enough. On the other hand, you could say that is compensation for the government not upholding their end of the supply management deal, rather than being a traditional subsidy.
And these same products are not supply managed in other countries?
Not anymore. The UK, Australia, and New Zealand used to have similar systems, but they’ve been long since abandoned.
If not, how come?
It is likely a four year university degree to delve into that complex topic, but I guess the short version is that most countries didn’t go down that road in the first place, and the few that did gave into the pressure to abandon it.
Canada has felt the same pressure, and through the 80s and 90s it seemed like we were close to going the same way, but that tide has turned. There is no political will to go that way now. If you recall, Maxime Bernier’s political career was destroyed because he suggested that supply management should come to an end.
As you can see in your link, the government is on the hook to pay farmers when supply management is encroached upon. If supply management is to be abandoned entirely, Canada has to buy back the quota in full. I suspect we are afraid to go down that road because we don’t think we can afford it.
Some have been saying that for 50 years. But where is the will going to come from? Canadians seem generally in favour of the system. They think it protects them from that ‘horrible American milk’. And nobody realizes that poultry is supply managed because dairy gets all the attention.
Cost of living is a lot worse now than it was 50 years ago. The internet also reveals how broken things are, much faster than news on cable TV in the 70s and 80s.
Not that I think anything will change, but it seems clear that something needs to.
I don’t understand why those would cost 40%+ more. We produce these products here, and they are subsidized, so what exactly accounts for such a disproportionate consumer cost?
They are not subsidized, at least not in the traditional sense of the word. They are supply managed. That means the supply of product is artificially constrained. Think of it like a “shortage”, except created on purpose by the government.
This sounds like pretty traditional subsidies.
And these same products are not supply managed in other countries? If not, how come? If so, why are Canadian consumers paying a disproportionately high amount for them?
Fair enough. On the other hand, you could say that is compensation for the government not upholding their end of the supply management deal, rather than being a traditional subsidy.
Not anymore. The UK, Australia, and New Zealand used to have similar systems, but they’ve been long since abandoned.
It is likely a four year university degree to delve into that complex topic, but I guess the short version is that most countries didn’t go down that road in the first place, and the few that did gave into the pressure to abandon it.
Canada has felt the same pressure, and through the 80s and 90s it seemed like we were close to going the same way, but that tide has turned. There is no political will to go that way now. If you recall, Maxime Bernier’s political career was destroyed because he suggested that supply management should come to an end.
As you can see in your link, the government is on the hook to pay farmers when supply management is encroached upon. If supply management is to be abandoned entirely, Canada has to buy back the quota in full. I suspect we are afraid to go down that road because we don’t think we can afford it.
It really sounds like we (Canada) needs to revisit how this is done. Sounds like a terrible system, and consumers are losing big time.
Some have been saying that for 50 years. But where is the will going to come from? Canadians seem generally in favour of the system. They think it protects them from that ‘horrible American milk’. And nobody realizes that poultry is supply managed because dairy gets all the attention.
Perhaps stories like this one will change people’s minds.
The same story has been told for 50 years. What do you think is different now?
Cost of living is a lot worse now than it was 50 years ago. The internet also reveals how broken things are, much faster than news on cable TV in the 70s and 80s.
Not that I think anything will change, but it seems clear that something needs to.