Agriculture Committee on Nov. 30th, 2017

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Will you get back to us faster than the Treasury Board? We're all just waiting for the Treasury Board.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

I'll make sure you receive an answer to your question.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

So you're telling us on the record—

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

It's somewhat detailed.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

—that you believe this is a good use of taxpayers' money.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

I believe it's very important to—

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Your government said that $4 million for autism was not a good use of taxpayers' money. We actually heard that in the House of Commons during debate. You're saying that $3 million of taxpayers' money to send foreigners to foreign conferences is a good use of taxpayers' money. I just want to get that on the record here.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

My good friend, if you're trying to indicate that I do not have a feeling for autism—

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

No, I didn't say that.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

—I would be very disappointed in your questioning.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

I didn't say “you”, I said “your government”.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

The fact of the matter is that I'm here to respond on agriculture estimates, not on autism. I certainly have a great feeling and a concern for anybody who has any health issues, but if you're going to start bringing autism and other health issues into this—

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

It's about the good use of taxpayers' money, Minister.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

No, you brought up the autism, my good friend. You brought up the autism. It's only fair that I say to you, quite clearly, that I do have a feeling for autism. I do have a feeling for people who have less. I do have a feeling for people who are hurt. But I am the Minister of Agriculture, and that's my responsibility.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

I appreciate your answer. You say that the $3 million is a good use of taxpayers' money. That's fine.

I want to follow up on something from about a year ago, when China cut off our canola sales because of all the dockage. We came up with an agreement. It was a compromise for a research and science-based and stable solution. Can you update us on where we are with that compromise, or with that research? Are we at a steady state with this, where we're not going to fall into having our canola blocked again? Are we comfortable with that?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Of course, being here for a number of years, I'm fully aware that these deals have been ongoing for periods of time, and not—

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

No, no; well, it long preceded a lot of us. I'm just wondering if you could update us on where we are with that.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Well, I would like to.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Okay.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

The fact is that we have a deal to 2020.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Yes. I'm asking about the science-based and stable solution research as part of the compromise.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

At the present dockage of two-point...is it 2.1%...? Yes, we have an agreement with China.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

We have an agreement, but part of the compromise was for research into it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Pat Finnigan]

Thank you, Mr. McCauley the MP.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

I'd like an update on the research.