Debates of June 10th, 2025

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26

[Jacob Mantle, Conservative, York—Durham, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I think it is important, and Canadians probably think it is important, that the Minister of International Trade knows how much in duties Canadian softwood lumber producers are paying. Let me tell him. It is over 46% for Canfor, over 26% for West Fraser and over 34% for all other producers.

The Conservative government got a deal done in a matter of months. Why has it taken you nine years, with no deal?

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Ask questions through the Chair, please.

The hon. Minister of International Trade.

[Maninder Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton East, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the deal that was referred to involved quotas; it involved restrictions on Canadian softwood lumber. That is not the deal we want to get signed. We want to make sure we get the best deal possible for Canadian lumber.

[Steven Bonk, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

Mr. Speaker, has the minister's department estimated the economic impact of China's 100% tariff on canola oil, meal and peas, including revenue losses and supply chain effects?

[Maninder Sidhu, Liberal, Minister of International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, the canola industry is very important to this government. That is why, today, I met with leaders from the canola industry. I was also in Paris last week, where I sat down with China's minister of commerce, Wang Wentao, to work through some of these issues.

[Steven Bonk, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

Mr. Speaker, has the minister's department estimated the economic impact of China's 100% tariffs on canola oil, meal and peas?

[Maninder Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton East, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today I sat down with agriculture leaders, especially in the canola sector, and what they asked me to do was to work through issues with China and to open up new markets. That is exactly what we will be focused on.

[Steven Bonk, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

Mr. Speaker, has there been direct ministerial contact with China?

[Maninder Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton East, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last week in Paris, I met directly with my counterpart, Minister Wang, the minister of commerce, to work through these issues. The Prime Minister talked to the Chinese premier to work through issues as well. Conversations are happening at the highest levels.

[Steven Bonk, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

Mr. Speaker, with which countries is Canada currently negotiating new market access for agricultural products, especially for canola? What progress has been made?

[Maninder Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton East, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is important to note that Indonesia is a market that we recently concluded negotiations with. Ecuador is another market that we recently concluded negotiations with. Indonesia is a big market, with over 250 million people; also, the Philippines is having conversations as well.

What I heard today from the agriculture sector is the Indo-Pacific region—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. member for Souris—Moose Mountain.

[Steven Bonk, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

Mr. Speaker, what new markets for canola oil and meal have been secured since tariffs were introduced? How much volume is expected from these deals?

[Maninder Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton East, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as I said, the canola industry is very important to our government.

Today I heard about opportunities in the Philippines. The Philippines is a large market for the industry. We also opened up a new agriculture office in Manila to help with that.

[Steven Bonk, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

Mr. Speaker, what is being done to deal with non-tariff trade barriers for canola in the U.S., such as inconsistent grading and inspection delays?

[Maninder Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton East, ON]

Mr. Speaker, coming back to the conversation at hand, the U.S. is an important partner for Canada. These are some of the issues and irritants that our Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade is working through with his U.S. counterparts.

[Steven Bonk, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

Mr. Speaker, is Canada preparing a case at the WTO to challenge the legality of China's 100% tariffs under the new international trade rules?

[Maninder Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton East, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the World Trade Organization plays a very important role. Last week I had meetings in Paris through the WTO. There are important mechanisms in place, and we already have that in action.

[Steven Bonk, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

Mr. Speaker, does the lack of a strong response risk encouraging other countries to target Canadian agriculture with unfair trade practices?

[Maninder Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton East, ON]

Mr. Speaker, trade is at the heart of what we do. It is important to note that the WTO plays a very prominent role to make sure that trade rules are protected. These trade panels could take up to a year, but we want to make sure that we are dealing in fair trade with all of our partners.

[Steven Bonk, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

Mr. Speaker, what message is the government sending to global partners about Canada's willingness to defend its trade rights in agriculture sectors?

[Maninder Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton East, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last week in Paris, I met with over a dozen trade ministers from regions all around the world. They want what Canada is producing, so we have a lot of opportunities for trade diversification, and that is exactly what I will be focused on.

[Steven Bonk, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

Mr. Speaker, will the minister commit to a clear plan that includes direct engagement with China, concrete steps to open new markets and immediate support for affected producers?

[Maninder Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton East, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last week in my meeting with Minister Wang, we talked about reopening JETC, which is the Joint Economic and Trade Commission, to have ongoing discussions to work through disputes, which is a great step forward.

Also, the Prime Minister had a conversation with the Premier of China to talk about what more we can do to have more of these conversations to resolve these disputes.

[Steven Bonk, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

Mr. Speaker, is the minister's department offering any compensation or support through programs like AgriStability to help producers affected by these tariffs?