International Trade Committee on Feb. 16th, 2023

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Thank you very much.

As mentioned a few times, the U.S. seems to be challenging the system yet again, so there's still an appetite to go after those sectors.

Is that an accurate statement?

Would you agree with that statement?

[Aaron Fowler]

In my experience, the United States has export interests in virtually every sector in virtually every country, so yes, I would agree.

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Thank you very much.

Do you think the passage of Bill C‑282 would strengthen Canada's position in future negotiations in order to avoid new breaches in supply management?

[Aaron Fowler]

I believe Bill C-282 would render into law what has been government policy for some time. It would remove any question as to whether Canadian negotiators have flexibility beyond what they're expressing at the table.

Whether that will make it easier for Canadian negotiators to conclude FTAs in the future is a different question, and I choose not to speculate on that at this time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Thank you very much.

I'm sorry, Mr. Perron, but your time is up.

Mr. Cannings, you have two and a half minutes.

[Richard Cannings, NDP, South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

Thank you.

I have one question, really, of Mr. Rosser. Monsieur Perron brought this up very briefly, I think, at the start of his time.

You mentioned the diversity of opinions within the entire agri-food sector in Canada about these agreements. I take it that the ones concerned about this are, largely, the export market sectors, whereas the supply management sector is almost, by definition, a domestic sector.

[Tom Rosser]

Yes, that was how I was characterizing the stakeholder positions in the sector.

[Richard Cannings, NDP, South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

That's all I have. Thanks.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Thank you very much.

We have Mr. Baldinelli, please.

[Tony Baldinelli, Conservative, Niagara Falls, ON]

Thank you to the witnesses for being here and for the excellent work they do.

I have a couple of questions.

Both Mr. Fowler and Mr. Rosser mentioned that the legislation is consistent with government policy and the actions that the government is taking with regard to any negotiations it undertakes. I just, ultimately, would like to ask the question: Is this legislation therefore needed?

[Aaron Fowler]

Is it needed from what standpoint?

[Tony Baldinelli, Conservative, Niagara Falls, ON]

Is it required? You're saying that the government is doing it. We're asking that we defend supply management. In your opinion, would this legislation even be required?

[Aaron Fowler]

Canada has, in the past, regularly concluded ambitious, comprehensive free trade agreements that do not make commitments with respect to market access for supply-managed goods in the absence of this piece of legislation; therefore, I would conclude that this legislation is not required in order to achieve such outcomes.

[Tony Baldinelli, Conservative, Niagara Falls, ON]

Thank you for that.

I'd like to ask a question. Is it true that the government recently opened up supply management in its Ukraine goods remission order?

[Aaron Fowler]

In the context of its support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's illegal invasion, the government has taken a number of steps to make it easier for Ukrainian businesses to enter the Canadian market, and that includes a temporary remission order that would cover supply-managed products as well as other products of Ukrainian origin.

[Tony Baldinelli, Conservative, Niagara Falls, ON]

Do we know for how long that temporary order is in place?

[Aaron Fowler]

It is in place for one year, from June 9, 2022 until June 9, 2023.

[Tony Baldinelli, Conservative, Niagara Falls, ON]

Would Bill C-282 have prevented the government from including supply management in the Ukraine goods remission order?

[Aaron Fowler]

No, it is not our belief that it would. The access to the Canadian market that has been provided to Ukraine is a unilateral action taken by the Government of Canada. It is not a treaty obligation, therefore I do not believe it would be covered by Bill C-282.

[Tony Baldinelli, Conservative, Niagara Falls, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Mr. Miao, I have one minute left, if you or someone else on this side has a question. Does anybody have an outstanding question?

[Wilson Miao, Liberal, Richmond Centre, BC]

I can ask a question. As we know, the Government of Canada has a long-standing policy to defend the integrity of Canada's supply management system for dairy products, poultry, and eggs. Knowing this, can you tell us how Canada has successfully negotiated new risk-free trade agreements?

[Aaron Fowler]

Canada and Canadian negotiators deploy a variety of approaches and strategies to conclude FTAs that are in the best interest of the Canadian economy overall. When we encounter difficult issues and there is a sensitivity to Canada or to our negotiating partner, we try to identify alternate means of addressing the underlying interest.

There have been different strategies that have been deployed in different negotiations that have satisfied the interests of both parties sufficiently, so that they felt comfortable concluding the agreement without including market access for supply-managed products.

That is always our goal when we sit down at the negotiating table. Our goal is to find a way through difficult issues. We can often put these at the end of the negotiations, and it's possible to trade off some of the difficult issues on both sides. That's how we often manage it.

[Wilson Miao, Liberal, Richmond Centre, BC]

Thank you for that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Thank you very much to our witnesses. It was a fascinating afternoon, as a few other points were also raised. Thank you, and until the next time.

A witness list for Bill C-282 must be submitted by Tuesday, February 21 if you have any additional witnesses. On March 6, we're going to deal with draft reports on the ArriveCAN study and the Inflation Reduction Act. Please ensure any further witnesses for Bill C-282 are submitted.

Thank you all very much. The meeting is adjourned.