STICKY FINGERS AND SWEET DEALS

The year is 2011, and the Canadian maple syrup market stands on shaky ground. Disputes between producers and the Federation of Maple Syrup Producers (FMSP) over quotas, prices, and the future of the industry have reached a breaking point. These conflicts have revealed deep structural problems, bringing together this diverse panel to address the issues at hand.

The FMSP controls the Quebecois maple syrup market, exporting over 70% of the world’s supply. Since 1966, it has enforced quotas granting authority over production, price, and sales. Many producers, believing these quotas restrict their livelihoods, have formed “The Rebels,” demanding autonomy in the market and, in some cases, turning to black-market alternatives.

Maple syrup is more than a commodity. It represents both economic survival and cultural pride for Quebec producers. With tensions rising, the future of the quota system and the stability of the market hang in the balance. Delegates must decide whether to preserve the current system or reform it, all while navigating competing interests and the threat of instability.

NOTE: This committee will have low- to medium-level crisis elements.