Pierre Pettigrew

[Agriculture, March 27th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Harbinson last week. I was very clear that the document as it stands does not reflect a negotiating framework satisfactory to Canada. We are pleased with some of the progress made in eliminating export subsidies, which meets Canadian objectives, but in terms of access to markets and farmer subsidies, we did not agree with this document.

I would like to reassure the House and Canadians that this document is also not supported by the European Union or the United States. I think that for now, these terms are far from being approved for agriculture negotiations at the WTO.

[Team Canada, March 26th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I am pleased to table, in both official languages, the Team Canada Inc. annual report for 2002.

[Dairy Industry, March 24th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, we have looked at several of these points. The Minister of Agriculture and I will react officially to a number of demands, such as the one about butter oil. We did so in the past on the cheese stick issue.

What matters is that the market for milk producers be developed. It is important to develop the market for them. I think there is also work to be done in that regard.

At the request of producers, we have already gone to the international court with the butter oil issue. Unfortunately, we lost at the time. We will continue working with them and trying to find solutions, but have already taken action.

[Dairy Industry, March 24th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, as you know, during the negotiations at the World Trade Organization, we always stand 100% behind the supply management system.

This is a system in which we believe, a system in which we want to continue working very closely with milk producers.

The Minister of Agriculture and I have set up a working committee with representatives from the industry. We recently received a number of demands from them. We will be answering them soon with respect to the demands to which the hon. member is referring.

[Transportation Amendment Act, March 19th, 2003]

What party did he support?

[Transportation Amendment Act, March 19th, 2003]

Railway track, as in “voie de chemin de fer”.

[Export Development Canada, March 19th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to section 32(2) of the Standing Orders of the House of Commons, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the 2003-07 Corporate Plan Summary of Export Development Canada.

[Dairy Industry, March 19th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, in all the meetings we have had with them, milk producers have told us that what matters most to them is to have a supply management system, a system that this government introduced some 30 years ago.

More than half of the quotas are held by Quebec milk producers, who benefit from the system we have put in place. We will continue to defend and promote it, because it is also in the best interests of consumers.

[Dairy Industry, March 19th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, during our caucus in Saguenay last August, the Minister of Agriculture and myself did set up a task force in conjunction with the dairy producers and the departments of Agriculture and International Trade. Working meetings have taken place between our officials and milk producers.

We received the report a few days ago. I have already had a working meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, and we will soon let make our decisions known.

Milk producers know full well that this government has always defended the supply management system and that it will continue to defend the interests of milk producers, who greatly benefit from an excellent system that we have put in—

[Trade, March 17th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, indeed the WTO has very good news.

Canada has been recognized by the WTO as one of the most transparent and liberal traders in the world.

Canada has been recognized by the WTO as one of the world's most transparent and liberal traders. The WTO recognizes that sound economic policies and an outward looking trade regime have allowed Canada to maintain economic growth in the face of a global economic slowdown. We are on the right track thanks to our international policies.