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Unearthing the Power in GMO Discourse: an Analysis of Canadian Agriculture and Agrifood Debates by Wesley Tourangeau a Thesis P

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Unearthing the Power in GMO Discourse: an Analysis of Canadian Agriculture and Agrifood Debates by Wesley Tourangeau a Thesis P Unearthing the power in GMO discourse: An analysis of Canadian agriculture and agrifood debates by Wesley Tourangeau A thesis presented to the University of Waterloo in fulfillment of the thesis requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Social and Ecological Sustainability Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 2017 © Wesley Tourangeau 2017 Examining Committee Membership The following served on the Examining Committee for this thesis. The decision of the Examining Committee is by majority vote. External Examiner Dr. André Magnan Associate Professor, Department of Sociology and Social Studies, University of Regina Supervisor(s) Dr. Jennifer Clapp Professor and Canada Research Chair in Global Food Security and Sustainability School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability, University of Waterloo Internal Member Dr. Robert Gibson Professor, School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability, University of Waterloo Internal-external Member Dr. Suzan llcan Professor, Department of Sociology and Legal Studies; and Balsillie School of International Affairs. University of Waterloo Other Member(s) Dr. Andrea Collins Assistant Professor, School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability, University of Waterloo ii AUTHOR’S DECLARATION I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this thesis. This is a true copy of the thesis, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I understand that my thesis may be made electronically available to the public. iii ABSTRACT The overall purpose of this doctoral research project is to add to our knowledge and understanding of power relations embedded in discourses regarding Canadian agriculture and agrifood debates. Power can be obscured by discourse, and discourse infiltrates acts of power. The primacy of scientific knowledge, specifically reductionist versions of modern science, in decision-making on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is a fitting example; science-based information plays a critical role in safety assessments, while also holding a discursive role in the legitimation of GM technology. As such, we need to take a closer look at acts of speaking and writing about GMOs—the complex, historically embedded context of debating over the benefits and risks of agricultural biotechnology through conversations, publicity materials, news media, and other forums. To achieve this more detailed examination, this thesis examines power relations through a broad, multi-dimensional lens, from the immediate and overt interactions of actors engaging in decision-making processes, to the embedded and amorphous influences of social norms and histories. The overarching research question for this study is: In what ways do conceptualizations of power and discourse help to further our understandings of disputes over genetically modified organisms in Canada? This question guides this project through case studies regarding present issues and contexts in Canadian agriculture and agrifood debates, focusing on three different discursive arenas. First, the thesis examines pro-biotech and anti-biotech discourses to add new insights concerning the power relations embedded in efforts to inform public opinion on the topic of agricultural biotechnology. This analysis highlights the Canadian state’s overall positive position toward agricultural biotechnology, which provides leverage to pro-biotech public relations while delimiting anti-biotech campaigns. Further, it illustrates that the potency of pro-biotech frames is sustained by historically and culturally embedded norms and values. These findings uncover a clearer picture of the complexity of power relations within agri-biotech discourse, and the extent to which anti-biotech groups are disadvantaged in these debates. iv Second, an analysis was performed on the parliamentary proceedings of Bill C-18, Canada’s Agricultural Growth Act, which amended several pieces of agricultural legislation. This article contributes to a broader and more integrated approach to exploring the ways in which power dynamics are articulated in law and policy debates. Discourse analysis of 32 parliamentary documents helps to shed light on a range of patterns regarding relations of power and control in the text and context of these debates. Based on this analysis, I discuss the relations of power which work together in an imbricated manner to produce an imbalanced climate for agriculture and agrifood law and policy development—one that prioritizes economic liberalization, global competitiveness, and private property rights. The third and final case study focuses on news media discourse regarding the introduction of genetically modified alfalfa in Canada. Based on a discourse analysis of 88 news reports on GM alfalfa published over a four year period, this study identifies constitutive power relations that influence the direction of reporting. Specifically, this news coverage is influenced by normative conditions regarding news values and media culture which shape the report writing and editing process, and neoliberal normative assumptions that help to re-embed dominant knowledges regarding market mechanisms and private property rights. This doctoral research project makes contributions to knowledge through an interdisciplinary analysis of power and discourse in Canadian agriculture and agrifood debates. The three case studies offer substantive empirical contributions to the areas of Canadian agriculture and agrifood studies, particularly regarding GMOs. As an interdisciplinary project, this research contributes to literatures across sociology, environmental studies, science and technology studies, and political science. Furthermore, important insights are developed from the fusion of a four-dimensional power framework with methods of discourse analysis. Future research could benefit from an elaboration of the theory-method approach outlined in this study. Discourses and power relations are co-constructed in varied contexts and necessitate an approach that engages with such dynamics. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS It is with the utmost gratitude, respect, and humility that I write this passage which acknowledges the abundance of support and encouragement that I have received over these past several years. I am indebted to all the members of my thesis committee, my friends and family members, and also the study participants who donated their time and shared experiences. Thank you all for everything that you have done for me. Jennifer Clapp, you have been an incredible source of knowledge, experience, support, and guidance. Thank you for all of the time you have dedicated to the development of my career. I consider myself very fortunate to have had such an inspiring and motivating supervisor. Bob Gibson, I am thankful for your attention to detail and keen insight into the varying angles of my thesis. Thank you for challenging me. Suzan Ilcan, I greatly appreciate all of your advice and support over the years. And, you have also helped me to develop my skills in writing and theoretical thinking. Andrea Collins, thank you for joining my thesis committee and providing me with fantastic ideas for improving my dissertation and taking my research in interesting future directions. André Magnan, thank you for being the external examiner for my dissertation defence. I am grateful for your valuable and insightful comments and questions. To all of my wonderful friends and colleagues that I have met at the University of Waterloo, thank you for many years of collegial support, stimulating conversation, and more than a few laughs. I arrived at a very welcoming and supportive office—thanks Kyrke and Mark! And I eventually moved to the ‘Food Office’, what a great group of scholars! Caitlin, Beth, Helena, Sarah, Matt, Emily, Isaac, Andrés, Chelsea, Amanda, Rachel, Ning, Danshu, and all the others who have shared this space, you have helped to make this degree a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Also, I wish to thank Ian Rowlands for his guidance during my comprehensive exam and Dan McCarthy for being incredibly encouraging and supportive over my years in Waterloo. Of course, I am also indebted to Jennifer Nicholson, Amanda Taves, and Lori McConnell who helped me to navigate the administrative hurdles of grad school. And also to my colleagues at Canadian Food Studies, it has been a great experience to be part of such an amazing team. Of course, I also thank my family and friends who have supported me for so many years. To my Mom, Dad, Lucas, Lauren, and Cody, you all know—maybe best of all—what this degree means to me. Thank you very much for everything you have done to help me get here. To Fran, Ted, Kelly, and Jamie, I am very grateful for your constant encouragement…and of course, Bella and Blue, for the type of therapy only dogs can provide! And, to all of my friends who have cheered me on from wherever you are—Jeremy, Lucas, Tony, Jimmy, Ashish, Sean, Kara, Adam, Shannon, Mike, and many more, I thank you! Lastly, to Laura, your love, support, and constant encouragement mean the world to me. You have made this experience a happy one. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS AUTHOR’S DECLARATION ....................................................................................................... ii ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................... iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................... vi LIST OF ACRONYMS .................................................................................................................
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