Mr. Speaker, my question is for the minister of agriculture.
Health Canada officials have publicly stated that there is no scientific justification for the ban of Brazilian beef and, guess what, Canadian scientists are not alone. The minister's U.S. counterpart, the U.S. agriculture secretary, Ann Veneman, announced to CNN on February 8 that there is no need to pull Brazilian beef products.
The minister is not only jeopardizing $210 million of product exports from Saskatchewan and New Brunswick, he is also hanging the political minister for Saskatchewan, the minister of natural resources.
Will the minister stand before Canadians and say that he knows this ban is not about health but about trade and apologize to Brazil for damaging our relationship?