Evidence of meeting #147 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 work.
A video is available from Parliament.
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Conservative
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Liberal
The Chair Liberal Pat Finnigan
Now, Mr. Peschisolido, we have about four or five minutes because we're going to have to go to approving—
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Liberal
Joe Peschisolido Liberal Steveston—Richmond East, BC
Mr. Chair, thank you.
I have a question for Mr. Forbes.
Ms. Nassif touched on our possible expanding trade with Japan. Our trade minister, Minister Carr, is off to Japan as we speak. Obviously, they're the lead on this, but on the agricultural side, what can we do or what can you guys do, as a department, if there is a willingness on the part of the Japanese government—and there may be, given the geopolitics occurring internationally—to lay the foundation for expanding our trade into Japan, perhaps for hogs and canola, but other products as well?
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Deputy Minister, Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food
I think there are a few things. We have the foundations with the trans-Pacific partnership agreement, which is, I think, improving the market access and the tariff conditions for our exporters going into Japan. I think that's critically important. I think the second piece is often being able to respond to what the sector sees as opportunities in Japan, whether that's, again, through our people on the ground in Japan, who are able to work with local businesses to identify connections, or whether that's our focus here, with ministers bringing people to open doors. That can happen. And there are technical discussions, too, over issues that maybe sometimes be barriers to trade, and how we have the science-based discussion that allows those markets to open for beef, for example, and potentially other commodities. It's a range of issues.
It does take the whole tool kit, I would say, if that's the right analogy, in both getting market access, developing the markets, and working with exporters to help them take advantage.
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Liberal
Joe Peschisolido Liberal Steveston—Richmond East, BC
I believe it was Mr. Dreeshen who mentioned our transportation policy. It seems to me that one of the challenges or issues that we can work on is the number of slaughterhouses in Canada and their geographical distribution. Basically, we don't have enough slaughterhouses. The supply chains are so wide. Maybe that was a decision taken by industry for profit. Perhaps it was a decision made by CFIA for cutting back; I don't know.
But my question for both Mr. Komal and you, Chris, is, first, is there a willingness and a possibility of having more slaughterhouses across the country, and second, if that's the case, how would that work? I'll open it up to you.
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Deputy Minister, Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food
I would just say on slaughter capacity that what you'll often hear from the processors is that access to workers was important. One of the things that came out in the budget was a pilot program for facilities that had a need for permanent, year-round work access—an immigration pilot. The details of that haven't been announced yet, but that will, ideally, address some of the big issues that some of the larger processors have with just having enough workers to take advantage of the processing.
I think if we can tackle the labour issue, I would say it then comes down to things like a competitive business environment. The trade deals are a big help. I would say that the tax system is very positive in Canada. We talked a bit earlier about regulation, and taking advantage of our strong regulatory system and the reputation that brings us, but also making sure that it is efficient for companies that are looking to invest. We need to get the whole package together, I think, in creating a good business environment for these kinds of facilities.
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Liberal
Joe Peschisolido Liberal Steveston—Richmond East, BC
Why are we having problems finding workers for the slaughterhouses? Is it because of the pay? Is it because folks don't want to be in an environment where animals are being slaughtered in that way?
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Deputy Minister, Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food
I'm not in the hiring business there, but I guess I would say, if you look at labour markets across the country, one of the challenges—it's a good challenge to have probably—is that unemployment rates are very low. That's the first thing. Monsieur Poissant and others have raised this. I would say once you get past the low unemployment rate, a lot of these jobs are difficult. They're physically demanding. They're not for everybody, right? I don't think it's a question of pay. Sometimes it's just a matter of the availability of people. I think that's where this immigration pilot was headed.
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Liberal
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Liberal
The Chair Liberal Pat Finnigan
Thank you, Mr. Peschisolido.
Thank you to the panel. We'll have to stop now because we have to adopt the report.
Thank you, Deputy Minister Forbes and Assistant Deputy Minister Walker.
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Liberal
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Vice-President, Science Branch, Chief Veterinary Officer and World Organisation for Animal Health Delegate for Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
My pleasure.
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Liberal
The Chair Liberal Pat Finnigan
Now we'll go ahead.
We are going to approve the votes in the Main Estimates, 2019-2020.
Pursuant to Standing Order 81(4), the committee will now approve the votes in the main estimates ending on March 31, 2020, less the amounts voted in the interim estimates and agreed by the House on Monday, January 28.
Do I have the unanimous consent to dispose of all of these?
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Some hon. members
No.
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Liberal
The Chair Liberal Pat Finnigan
We don't, so we'll vote on each one individually.
CANADIAN DAIRY COMMISSION
Vote 1—Program expenditures..........$3,772,890
(Vote 1 agreed to on division)
CANADIAN GRAIN COMMISSION
Vote 1—Program expenditures..........$4,846,955
(Vote 1 agreed to on division)
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD
Vote 1—Operating expenditures..........$571,622,434
Vote 5—Capital expenditures..........$40,505,291
Vote 10—Grants and contributions..........$418,975,000
Vote 15—A Food Policy for Canada..........$19,000,000
(Votes 1, 5, 10, and 15 agreed to on division)
Now, shall I report the main estimates to the House?
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Some hon. members
Agreed.
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Liberal
The Chair Liberal Pat Finnigan
That's all for the report.
Before we adjourn I would like to thank Ariane. This will be her last day with us. It's unfortunate for us, but fortunate for her. Her family's expanding.
Ms. Gagné-Frégeau, I just want to tell you that you have been great. You kept us on track, you always had—
You made my work so much easier. We really appreciate, Ariane, the work you've done. We wish you all the best with your new family. Thank you.
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Voices
Hear, hear!
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The Clerk of the Committee Ms. Ariane Gagné-Frégeau
Thank you very much.
It was a privilege to work with you. I learned a lot, both professionally and personally. I will continue to make sure that procedures and regulations are followed, but at home.
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Conservative
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Liberal
