Evidence of meeting #121 for Agriculture and Agri-Food in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was you're.
A video is available from Parliament.
9:30 a.m.
Liberal
Lawrence MacAulay Liberal Cardigan, PE
What we have to do is sit down with the people involved, the people who had to pay some price, and that's what will be done.
9:30 a.m.
Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, CPC
That leads to my next question, which we have talked about a lot. By 2025, or before, we have to meet the requirements, or the need, globally to increase our exports to $75 billion. My question goes back to the earlier one. Have you asked for an analysis?
What we're finding is that the PMRA, a side ministry to yours, Minister, is putting roadblocks in front of our industry by starting to reduce the amount of products that we can use to grow our safe crops—
9:30 a.m.
Liberal
9:30 a.m.
Liberal
Lawrence MacAulay Liberal Cardigan, PE
Just give me one second. Bev truly cares, and the truth is that we want to make sure.... Without any question, Bev, you looked at the fall economic statement. You see what we're doing. We put $25 million in it to make sure that we deal with the trade issues around the world. We accelerated tax deduction. We're going to make sure that the farmers can expand and that we give them the proper financial assistance that we can in the tax system in order to make sure they can expand. That's what we have done, and that's what we will continue to do.
As far as food coming in is concerned, as far as the product coming in is concerned, this is why the groups were put together, to evaluate what kind of full and fair remuneration can be given to the sector. That's what we're going to do, and that's what we will continue to do. We're always looking out for the farmer.
9:30 a.m.
Liberal
November 29th, 2018 / 9:35 a.m.
Liberal
Francis Drouin Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I have to say, Minister, that I am pleased the Conservatives are asking questions about supply management, because I remember not too long ago I spent some time at the convention, and almost 50% of their membership voted to get rid of supply management.
9:35 a.m.
Conservative
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
Francis Drouin Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
Thank you.
Minister, I wanted to read to you a quote from the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. It says:
This fiscal update shows that the Federal Government is taking the right steps to increase the competitiveness and efficiency of Canada's agricultural sector. This support is pivotal to achieve the target of increasing agricultural exports to $75 billion by 2025 which was set out in the 2017 Federal Budget.
Why would the CFA say such a thing about the fall economic update? Is there good news that we shared within the fall economic update?
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
Lawrence MacAulay Liberal Cardigan, PE
There certainly is. First of all, on your first statement, it would be very helpful if all members of the House of Commons would fully support the supply management sector. I'm not blaming anybody, but the fact is that it's an issue that has been in the headlights of different countries around the world in order to try to hurt our system. When we have parties or individuals who speak against the supply management system, it certainly does not help my efforts. We know it creates a problem.
In the fall economic statement, a number of things took place. The accelerated tax depreciation is so important. As I indicated previously, all you have to do, Francis, is buy a tractor and find out just what it costs, or buy a tractor and a potato harvester—and all you can do with those two things is drive around. There is no end to the financial input for farmers. What we did in that area was to make sure that it would put more money in the pockets of farmers sooner. That is reciprocal. It helps the machinery dealers and it helps the people who work in manufacturing. There is no end to what this does to help the economy.
Also, on the trade issue, which is so vitally important, we are working hard, but if we could just have other countries adhere to the science-based regulatory system.... All we want to do is produce quality food, safe food, and we're fully noted for that. I don't think we have any problem. If you have CFIA approval worldwide, that helps you. The maple leaf on a product, whether you're in China or Vietnam or wherever it is around the world, certainly helps. That's what we have to do.
As you know also, we have invested $100 million in science research. That is also vitally important, because if you're not on the cutting edge, no matter what you're doing.... Even if you're on a dairy farm and you handle your grain operation in a different way, it might not involve a lot of money. That's innovation. It's a way to do things more quickly, which costs less and is more efficient.
Then there are bigger things with Navdeep Bains's budget, and of course I am eyeing that as much as I can to get any dollars we can out of that in order to make sure that innovation takes place. We also have the protein cluster, of course, which will create many jobs. These are things that will do nothing but help the agricultural sector.
It's also important to realize that other countries around the world are at this work, too, so we have to continue to keep our eye on the ball and make sure we give the farmers, ranchers and processors in this country the opportunity to advance and to innovate. No matter whether you're milking the cow, processing the milk or making the French fries, the innovation—
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
Francis Drouin Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
You're not saying that because I'm French, are you?
9:35 a.m.
Voices
Oh, oh!
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
Lawrence MacAulay Liberal Cardigan, PE
Innovation is vital, and in the end it means more dollars for farmers, but nobody need think that it's just us at that. The world is at it, too, but I think we're investing quite well.
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
Francis Drouin Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
Minister, I have to ask you for an update on supply management and where we're at with the working group.
I do have to say on the record that I am disappointed that the leader of the official opposition would say, after the deal has been negotiated, that he would negotiate a better deal. I find it funny, actually. It's like the hockey coach who says after the playoffs are done that he would have won the Stanley Cup. I find that it's not deemed quality leadership.
Could you give us an update on the working group? I think there has been a working group put in place to deal with supply management.
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
Lawrence MacAulay Liberal Cardigan, PE
I thank you so much.
Without question, for the supply management sector, this is vitally important. I am concerned about the supply management sector. I milked cows before I came here. I was involved in the supply management sector. It's vitally important to our economy.
Actually, we have put three working groups in place. Of course, the deal has to be signed and ratified by the three countries. These things have not taken place yet, but they are due to start very shortly. It also has to go through Congress and our parliaments in the three countries. When that happens, hopefully.... I'm sure we will have worked with the groups representing the different sectors in the supply management industry in order to put a full and fair package in place that will make sure they innovate.
We have to make sure that these sectors, whether dairy, poultry, chickens, eggs or whatever.... It's the next generation that we're concerned about, too, to make sure they're able to expand as the growth continues.
Look at what happened in the chicken industry. I think it's something like 10%. These things are so valuable. The dairy industry is well aware that these things are taking place.
I know you're looking at me, Mr. Chair.
The truth is that the demand for product is continuing to expand. It's so important that we're able to produce the product in this country, to make sure it's our own product and Canadians know it's our own product. If the blue cow is on the product, it's a Canadian dairy product. These things are quite important, and we will continue to push, but we have to let the groups work and make sure they come up with the appropriate package. We will make sure that Parliament and our colleagues are fully aware and have a chance to voice their full opinion on—
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Pat Finnigan
Thank you, Minister.
We have a couple of minutes left.
I guess there are some questions from that side.
Monsieur Berthold, go ahead.
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I see that when given free reign, the Minister can be quite expansive.
Let's try to quicken the pace, Minister.
I have questions to ask because people are really worried. I have met quite a few stakeholders from the agricultural sector. They talked about the Canada food guide being revamped, about labelling on the front of packages, about the impact on the industry of upcoming measures including the ban on neonicotinoids.
Unfortunately, you don't seem to be so expansive about these issues. Are you aware that they will have a huge impact in terms of costs and the very survival of Canadian farms? Sadly, we were not allowed to express our concerns to the Standing Committee on Health. Did you inform the Health Minister of the impact that theses changes will have?
Minister, what do you intend to do to protect Canadian producers who are currently threatened by a trend that is not necessarily based on scientific fact?
I have taken a leaf from your book and I spoke eloquently about all my concerns. Now it's your turn.
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
Lawrence MacAulay Liberal Cardigan, PE
Thank you very much, Luc. You gave a good supply of questions.
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
Lawrence MacAulay Liberal Cardigan, PE
You are not indicating that the science-based system on approving chemicals is not done properly in this country. I hope not.
Of course, I have concerns about what is approved—
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
You are twisting my words. What I said was that currently, stakeholders are of the opinion that decisions made by the Health Department are not based on all the available scientific data. That is what our committee has heard on many occasions.
This is worrisome. These measures could have huge financial repercussions for Canadians producers and farmers. Those folks would like the minister to stand up and ask the Health Department to take into account their concerns and opinions, and to ensure that decisions made do not have a negative impact on their production and their survival, as...
9:45 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Pat Finnigan
If you would like an answer, you should stop. I will give the minister time to answer.