Evidence of meeting #54 for International Trade in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was negotiators.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:15 p.m.
NDP
Richard Cannings NDP South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC
That's what you're asking of the supply managed sector.
5:15 p.m.
Director, Government Relations, Canola Council of Canada
We're not asking that of the supply management sector.
Ultimately, the objectives of the negotiation have to be tabled in Parliament by the minister. Parliament does have a role in terms of the implementation of the legislation, so we trust our trade negotiators to deliver the best outcomes for Canadians and the Canadian economy. That's always been our position.
5:15 p.m.
NDP
Richard Cannings NDP South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC
Right now, all the parties agree on no more cuts to supply management.
If that's tabled in Parliament before the negotiation, how different is that from having this legislation?
5:15 p.m.
Director, Government Relations, Canola Council of Canada
We'd be the only ones in the world that has a legislative prohibition on what our negotiators can and cannot do at the negotiation table. I think there are other tools in the tool box to ensure that happens.
The government put in place a new policy for its objectives in Parliament. There is trade implementation legislation as well, so I think there are other ways to protect supply management outside of this piece of legislation.
I think that's our point. It's a principle position. It's not the fact that it's supply management.
5:15 p.m.
NDP
Richard Cannings NDP South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC
It just doesn't seem to have been working very well.
Thank you.
5:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
To our panellists, you have my apologies again for the tightness of time and the situation today. We very much appreciate your sharing the information with us.
You can all please exit from the room. The committee has to do a few minutes of committee business. If you could exit as quickly as possible, I will suspend for a few minutes.
[Proceedings continue in camera]