International Trade Committee on Sept. 20th, 2016

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Dave, I thought we were friends.

I don't believe I'll be making a commitment on pipelines. You know the process we've put in place in order to make sure that we have a consensus from the public in general, but that's out of my portfolio to indicate the environmental impact and this type of thing. I do understand that any industry like that is vitally important. I use lots of oil. I farmed, grew potatoes, and milked cows all my life before I met you, and I understand the importance of this industry, too. Most likely it will revive again, like many other industries. Being a farmer, I'm fully aware of the ups and downs in industry. If you're waiting for me to make a commitment that I'm going to take the government to task, then I would question that. I appreciate your concern, and I fully understand that the oil industry plays a major role in this country. We're a big exporter of oil, and we have to make sure that the oil gets to port in order that we can export it. It's a valuable commodity—

[Dave Van Kesteren, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

I thank you for that.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

—and I understand that—

[Dave Van Kesteren, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

I thank you for that.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

—and I'm sure you do, too.

[Dave Van Kesteren, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

I know we haven't got a commitment, but just knowing you're at the table reminding the government....

The other thing I want you to remind them about is the detrimental effect that a carbon tax is going to have on farmers. If we're going to compete on the world scene, we have to compete on a level playing field, and the carbon tax is going to put us out of that competition mode. Would you remind the government of that and possibly be an advocate for us to be sure that isn't something that is going to drag down the farm gate as well?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Thank you very much. I think you realize that we campaigned on that, and it was quite a referendum. On this very issue, we're consulting full time, as on many other issues, with our provincial colleagues across the country to make sure that your genuine concern that farmers are not heard, that they're not heard.... My responsibility, and I'm pleased to have it, is to make sure that the farming community in this and their concerns are forefront, and I can promise you that.

[Dave Van Kesteren, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

Great.

Farmers are concerned in the province of Ontario with the lack of interest at the provincial level. We saw what great friends your leader was with the premier dancing around the stage at election time. Just knowing that you have that strong relationship, would you possibly use that influence to remind the Province of Ontario of the importance of farming—my colleague, Tracey, can testify to that as well in Essex—and that we get the attention that we need from the Province of Ontario that you're committing to here at the federal level as well?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

I'm pleased you understand that you have such a great premier in Ontario.

[Dave Van Kesteren, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

You said it.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

I am pleased with that. I understand that fact, too. I do have a good rapport with the Premier of Ontario and all the other premiers across the country. I had a great opportunity to spend some time with Brad Wall, who is not one of our counterparts, but is a distinguished Canadian and a popular premier. I think it's my responsibility to deal with all provinces and territories, and to make sure that everybody is involved in decisions. That I can commit to. Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Liberal, Mark Eyking]

Thank you, Minister.

We're going to go to one more questioner. I would just like to remind our members that I think it's very important we stick somewhat to the topic that we bring a minister in for.

We have a couple of minutes left, and the NDP has the last three minutes.

Go ahead.

[Ruth Ellen Brosseau, NDP, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Thank you, Chair.

I miss working with you on ag, but it's nice to see you today.

I'm just going to ask you a few more questions about diafiltered milk, because what we're supposed to be concentrating on is a study on the Canada Border Services Agency duties deferral program and other issues, diafiltered milk, and spent fowl.

This is an issue that has been going on for the last number of years. Diafiltered milk is something that was made in the States to ship off to Canada. They found a loophole. Supply management is based on three pillars: production management, pricing, and control at the border, control of imports.

With diafiltered milk, we see the loophole; we see the problem. It has a dual identity. When will this be dealt with?

I know you've consulted a lot, and I know your government likes to consult Canadians, but I think enough consultation has happened. I think a lot of the major players are on the same page as to what needs to be done.

What happened in those consultations, Mr. Minister? Are we on the same page?

I think it's just missing government action. The government needs to control what's happening with the importation of diafiltered milk.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Thank you very much, Ms. Brosseau. I appreciate your concern, and I've heard it a number of times.

[Ruth Ellen Brosseau, NDP, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Could I just have some answers?

I'm sorry. Every time I question you—I thank you, minister—you say that you understand my concern. We'd like an answer, and I think farmers deserve an answer. It's been almost a year.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

It's one of the concerns for sure in the supply management sector, as is the low price of skim milk powder and that type of thing. It has all contributed to a problem in the dairy industry. I think you would agree that in the few months I've been here I've taken this on fully, and I fully intend to address it. What we want to do is make sure that we address it in an appropriate manner.

What did I hear when I consulted with people? Many, many things. You would even hear some things at the table here today. When we're dealing with young dairy farmers in your province and across this country, they're concerned about the longevity, the long-term sustainability of the dairy industry. That's what they're concerned with.

What you have to be careful of in this business—and I know you want to ask something else—is that you don't just have a knee-jerk solution. What you need is a long-term, sustainable solution for the whole package.

I know you want me to tell you that a week from Friday I'm going to do something. That is not the case. We cannot set a date. We cannot set a timeline.

[Ruth Ellen Brosseau, NDP, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Why not?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

But we can tell you one thing that we're going to do. We're going to make it official—

[Ruth Ellen Brosseau, NDP, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

I'm sorry, Minister, to interrupt you. I don't have much time. I need to know—

[The Chair, Liberal, Mark Eyking]

Your time is up.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Give her one more, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Mark Eyking]

Well, no. If I give her a minute, I have to give everyone a minute.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

I am on her side.

[The Chair, Liberal, Mark Eyking]

I know you guys are having a lot of fun down in that corner—

[Ruth Ellen Brosseau, NDP, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

You're on my side?