Agriculture Committee on Nov. 29th, 2018

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

—very strong negotiators at the table. They work—

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Minister, I know that we have good people on our negotiation team.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

—very well in this situation—

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

What I want to know is when were you consulted.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

—and were able to convince the United States—

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

When were you consulted about the extent of the concessions, Minister?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

—that this was not possible, that we would not stand for it, and we did not stand for it. I think my honourable colleague is speaking again.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Minister, it's an easy question. When were you consulted on the extent of concessions made to the U.S.? On what was your approval based?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

It was in full consultation, as they indicated. In fact, I knew very well before the negotiations started what the objective of the American government was.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

I would like to know what was your government's intentions were.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

I understood as they were sitting—

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

We know what the Americans wanted, Minister.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

My honourable friend, you have to let me answer. You're a good friend—

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Yes, but you have to answer the question.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

—but you have to let me answer the question.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

You have to answer the question.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

The fact is that I was fully consulted all the way through on the negotiations—

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

I'm ready to let you answer, but you have to answer the question. I'm ready. If you answer the question, I will give you all the time you want, but you have to answer the question. The question was—

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

When was I consulted? I'm trying to tell you that—

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

When did you accept the—

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

—I was consulted all the way through the process.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

When did you agree to the concessions?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

It wasn't easy. They are difficult, these negotiations.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

When did you agree to all those concessions, Minister? Was it at the beginning, in September or in August? You say you were consulted from the outset.

[The Chair, Liberal, Pat Finnigan]

Thank you, Mr. Berthold.

Mr. Breton, you have six minutes.