Jean-Claude Poissant

[Dairy Industry, November 1st, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, as we have said many times, our position is clear. We support our dairy producers and our supply management system. We are pleased to have been able to sign this progressive agreement that could drive additional exports of up to $1.5 billion.

We are aware of the needs of the Canadian dairy industry, and that is why, as we have said all along, the government will provide transition programs to help that industry. We are in the process of finalizing these programs, and we will ensure that they are in place before CETA takes effect.

[Dairy Industry, October 31st, 2016]

Madam Speaker, the federal government's investments in innovation, agricultural programs, green jobs, and broadband Internet service will benefit the agriculture and agri-food industry as a whole.

We recognize the importance of helping supply-managed sectors with the transition under the Canada-European Union comprehensive economic and trade agreement.

We will keep the lines of communication open with farmers across the country. In preparation for the development of the new strategic agricultural framework, which will launch in 2018, we are also meeting with industry stakeholders to hear their thoughts on the current framework.

Canada's agricultural industry and all supply-managed sectors have some exciting new opportunities that spell big gains for them. We are all working together to cultivate a prosperous future for all of Canada's farmers.

[Dairy Industry, October 31st, 2016]

Madam Speaker, I thank the member from Essex for raising this important issue.

As a dairy farmer, I am proud that Canada can count on such a strong and vibrant sector. I will repeat, as we have said all along, that supply management is an important pillar of our agriculture and of the Canadian economy.

We are working hard to find a lasting solution that is acceptable to the entire Canadian dairy industry. We are pleased that Canada and the European Union have signed this historic agreement. It is a progressive agreement that will expand our exports, which may reach up to $1.5 billion a year.

I would like to point out the exceptional work done by the Prime Minister, the Minister of International Trade, and their respective teams to secure the agreement.

It is our belief that the government must help dairy producers and processors to make the transition once CETA is implemented. We consulted dairy producers, their national and local associations, and processors; their input informed the development of programs designed to respond to the challenges faced by the sector and to foster growth. We have shown on many occasions that we are listening to the dairy sector and doing everything we can to find a viable long-term solution.

Of course CETA has not yet taken effect, and we will ensure that the transition assistance programs are announced before it does. We are committed to helping the dairy industry adjust to the new market conditions, and that is exactly what we are going to do.

With regard to the trans-Pacific partnership, we are continuing to consult Canadians in an open and transparent manner. The Conservatives chose to negotiate in secret and the New Democrats chose to oppose the agreement without even looking at it. We promised to consult Canadians and that is exactly what we are doing. We listened to over 450 economic stakeholders and the Standing Committee on International Trade has not yet finished its study of the TPP. It is also important to remember that none of the 11 countries that signed the TPP have ratified it yet.

I am proud of the work that has been accomplished to date, and we intend to keep building on that. The government will continue to promote the commercial interests of Canada's agricultural industry. That includes supply-managed sectors as well as those that will benefit from new trade access, such as the beef, hog, grain, fruit and vegetable, and processed foods industries.

Our message is very clear. We are the ones who implemented the supply management system and we fully support it. We understand that transition programs are important for the dairy industry. Such assistance is being developed and will be available when the agreement takes effect.

I can assure the House that we are working with all industry stakeholders and listening to their points of view.

[Agriculture and Agri-Food, October 31st, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, the European Union signed CETA. We have always maintained that the government should help dairy producers and processors make the transition. We consulted the dairy industry, and the feedback we received is helping us develop programs to address the challenges the sector is facing and promote growth.

As I mentioned, we are committed to helping the dairy industry get through the transition and adapt to new conditions.

[Agriculture and Agri-Food, October 31st, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague from Miramichi—Grand Lake for his question.

I first want to acknowledge all the hard work done by the Minister of International Trade during the negotiations. This agreement will help middle-class families and create new opportunities for many sectors of the Canadian economy, including agriculture.

We are proud of the work we have done and proud to have signed an agreement that will boost agricultural exports by over $1.5 billion. We are very aware of the needs of our dairy sector, which is why we are currently working on transition assistance.

[Agriculture, October 31st, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his question.

As I just stated, as a control measure we are restricting the movement of all animals that could be affected. In all cases of reportable disease, the objective is to minimize the impact on our producers while respecting our domestic and international obligations.

We are taking appropriate action to protect the health of Canadians and Canadian livestock, while retaining access to our international markets.

[Agriculture, October 31st, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to protecting the health of Canadian families and of animals.

To meet that commitment our department is investigating the matter. As a control measure we have restricted the movement of all animals that could be affected. In all cases of reportable disease, the objective is to minimize the impact on our producers while respecting our domestic and international obligations.

[Ethics, October 27th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, the minister's chief of staff is involved in her community at every level. She is also an accomplished lawyer and businesswoman, and she was even honoured with her community's citizen of the year award. Her community involvement credentials are outstanding. The minister's chief of staff is also deeply committed to Canadian agriculture and public service. She has complied with all of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner's requirements and followed all of the guidelines—

[World Food Day, October 21st, 2016]

Madam Speaker, Sunday was the 36th annual World Food Day. I would like to take this opportunity to increase Canadians' awareness of poverty and hunger.

Too many people suffer from malnutrition because they do not have enough to eat. In Canada, one in six children is a victim of food insecurity.

Thanks to the Canada child benefit, the 2016 budget lifted more than 300,000 children out of poverty. This measure, along with those of other interested parties, is a step in the right direction. Those parties include community organizations, such as those in the great riding of La Prairie, that help alleviate food insecurity for thousands of people.

In the coming months, I will be helping my esteemed colleague, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, work with all stakeholders to develop a new food policy. The goal of the policy will be to ensure that all Canadian families have access to more healthy, high-quality food.

[Ethics, October 20th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.

The minister's chief of staff followed all of the relevant codes of ethics to the letter. I therefore do not believe that the chief of staff has done anything wrong.