Marie-Claude Bibeau

[International Trade, May 28th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, I want to reassure my colleague, as well as dairy processors. Again, we made a strong commitment to all supply-managed industries. We have created working groups, and we take these discussions very seriously. They will soon see how well we have listened.

[International Trade, May 28th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for giving me the opportunity to reassure him and all supply-managed dairy farmers across Canada.

I would like them to know that we are making progress. We already announced the amount of funding earmarked for them in the last budget. I am sure that in the coming weeks, we will have more details to announce about the mechanisms that will help provide their compensation.

[International Trade, May 27th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, I can assure you that we are working hard to reopen the Chinese market to our canola producers.

To help our farmers in the meantime, we improved the advanced payment program and I can assure the House that we are working very hard to make this happen as soon as possible. We are changing the rules and we are soon going to reach an agreement with the 36 agencies that administer the funds. I can assure the House that we are standing up for our canola producers.

[International Trade, May 17th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, we have been behind our canola farmers and all of our farmers from the very start.

We are taking action on multiple fronts. We are working on this. I visited the Prairies and met with my provincial colleagues. We set up a working group with the industry and farmers. I went to Japan. I spoke with my Chinese counterpart. We have implemented a much more generous advanced payment program. We are working hard on this file. My colleague, the Minister of International Trade Diversification, will also be undertaking trade missions focusing on diversification.

[International Trade, May 16th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, we have stood with our farmers from the very beginning. I do not know where my colleague has been for the last two and a half months, because apparently, he missed a lot. I have travelled to the Prairies. We have talked with the industry, with farmers and with our provincial counterparts. We have created a working group. We have made a declaration at the WTO. I have travelled to Japan. I had a conversation with my Chinese counterpart. We are moving on this file, and we take it very seriously.

[Agriculture and Agri-food, May 8th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, I want to reassure my colleague and supply-managed farmers.

Our government made them a commitment. The budget clearly states that $3.9 billion will be allocated, $2.4 billion of which will go to farmers. We are also strongly committed to helping processors.

I would ask the member to wait a few weeks for more information on this matter.

[Agriculture and Agri-food, May 8th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Vaughan—Woodbridge for accompanying me to Riverside Natural Foods.

This is an expanding family business whose healthy snacks are enjoyed in more than 30 countries. It is a business that has provided markets for Canadian agriculture products.

Our investment under the agriInnovate program will help Riverside install its new, first-in-Canada robotic equipment, customize and automate production, and develop many new healthy snack foods.

Through budget 2019, we are investing $100 million to drive innovation in the food processing industry.

[International Trade, May 8th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, I actually met with the chicken farmers' association at midday today. I got to have a great discussion with this group, one of many, to give them some assurances.

Our government made a commitment to all industries regarding supply management. We made a firm commitment in budget 2019, and I am working very hard so I can fulfill those commitments over the coming months.

These associations can count on our government.

[International Trade, May 6th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, I can assure you that I will step up every chance I get to support our farmers across Canada and abroad.

I did not have to wait for my colleague to ask me the first question in question period, six weeks after the debate started.

I will be there to support farmers in several different ways, and I am looking for more than just “yes” or “no” answers. This is a very complex file, and we are all working together, in partnership with industry, to defend our farmers.

[International Trade, May 6th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, we have been standing firm on this issue for well over two months. It did not take us six weeks to ask a first question about canola.

We are working with the Minister of International Trade Diversification and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and also with farmers, their representatives, the industry and our provincial colleagues. We are working together to implement the best strategy and to find a long-term solution.

We support our canola producers.