Evidence of meeting #37 for International Trade in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was vehicles.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Ron Cannan Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Coming from British Columbia, I have just one last question for Mr. Butler. What will be the impact for the British Columbia seafood industry?
Executive Director, Association of Seafood Producers
I'm not sure, to be clear. Christina Burridge, who you know well, I suspect, would be the best person to ask about the B.C. industry.
Conservative
Laurin Liu NDP Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I want to thank the witnesses for participating in today's meeting.
Mr. Rice, I think you made us all hungry when you talked about Korean barbecue, so thank you for that.
My question is for Mr. Vincent.
I will briefly talk about the complex non-tariff barrier system and the fairly high safety standards imposed by Japan, another country you mentioned. Other witnesses who appeared before the committee talked to us about the problems this could cause for Canadian industries.
Unfortunately, we recently saw that food inspection services have undergone cuts.
Do you think this could affect your industry, and the consumption of pork in South Korea and its exportation to that country?
Chair, Canadian Pork Council
I think Canada is recognized for the high quality of its products. Compared with many other countries, our regulations are probably among the most stringent, if not the most stringent. This imposes certain constraints, of course, but it also forces us to be competitive. In some respects, our production costs may be higher, but on the other hand, providing a high-quality and recognized product gives us access to those markets.
Japan had the most stringent rules in terms of quality. However, that may have helped us become more competitive.
NDP
Laurin Liu NDP Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
I totally agree with you. You have a very good reputation, and the quality of your products is excellent. I can attest to the fact that the Quebec industry has a very good reputation. However, my comment was more about the budget the government has set aside for food inspection services. Even though our producers are doing an excellent job, I am afraid the situation may affect consumer confidence in our products.
I have a question for Mr. Butler. I know that the Fish, Food & Allied Workers union and the UFCW have members in some of the companies that your organization represents, including Beothic Fish Processors in Valleyfield, which is not far from my riding; in New Brunswick; and Ocean Choice on Prince Edward Island. Do you have any statistics on the rate of unionization among the employees in the industry that you represent?
Executive Director, Association of Seafood Producers
I don't represent the harvesting side of the business in the inshore. That's represented, as you said, by the FFAW and Unifor. The harvesting unionization rate is 100% by legislation, Joey Smallwood's last piece of legislation passed in 1971 or 1972. By law, all harvesters are bound to be members of the FFAW by the union.
In the plants, no, I don't have any numbers in particular around plants. I suspect the unionization rate is 50% or maybe a little less than that, but I don't know, to be honest. It might be surprisingly less or surprisingly more. I'm not sure.
We have a collective bargaining model, and I'm responsible for the price negotiations on raw material and not for the union negotiations in the plants for plant worker payrolls, etc. That's handled by the individual plants.
NDP
Laurin Liu NDP Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
Would it be fair to say, however, that a greater access to the South Korean market would create more jobs, and therefore, more unionized jobs as well? I know that you don't have any specific numbers on that, but would it be fair to assume that would be the result?
Executive Director, Association of Seafood Producers
I wouldn't assume it, because the net basket of fish to sell is based on quotas. We have about $1 billion of fish to sell, so the amount of fish is the same. The processing won't change unless the market requires a different form of processing. The assumption might not hold. It might be less. It might be more. I think the value would increase. That's clear.
NDP
Laurin Liu NDP Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
What other support would you expect from the federal government in order to expand your market access to South Korea? Besides lower tariffs, would you be looking for support, for example, from trade offices, trade commissioners, etc.?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Randy Hoback
You're going to have to answer that quickly, though. You have about 10 seconds.
Executive Director, Association of Seafood Producers
Yes, we get support from trade commissioners, from the seafood shows we attend worldwide as well. They are invaluable support.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Randy Hoback
I'd like to thank the witnesses again for, on short notice, being here today to appear in front of this committee.
Colleagues, I'm going to suspend for a few moments and then come back in camera to give you an update on how we're making out with the witnesses and our meetings for next week. I will suspend the meeting at this point in time, and we'll come back in a few moments in camera.
[Proceedings continue in camera]