Agriculture and Agri-food  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.

Agriculture and Agri-food  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.

International Trade  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.

International Trade  Mr. Speaker, once again, I can say that we are very engaged in working as a team to solve this issue with China because we stand by our farmers, our canola producers and our exporters. This is a very important issue, and we should not confuse supporting our farmers and our robust inspection system with supporting the poorest and the most vulnerable of this world.

International Trade  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.

International Trade  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.

International Trade  Mr. Speaker, we were informed yesterday that the Chinese authorities suspended the export permits of two Canadian pork exporters. We were clearly informed that this is an administrative issue, something that happens on a relatively regular basis in various industries and countries.

International Trade  Mr. Speaker, what is going on with the pork industry is an administrative issue. I am confident that we will find a solution very rapidly. Conservatives keep playing little politics. I would like the House to know that today we have learned that the Leader of the Opposition is refusing to allow an independent check on the cost of their promises.

International Trade  Mr. Speaker, we have been talking about this matter and doing something about it for exactly two months now. We are in contact with the Chinese authorities. Our representatives there are in daily contact with Chinese authorities. We have regular meetings with a working group because we recognize that this is an important industry, we respect our partners, we respect the industry and we are working together to find the best way to resolve this situation as quickly as possible.

International Trade  Mr. Speaker, I can assure you that we are standing firm and taking action in a variety of ways to address this situation. We are working with my colleague, the Minister of International Trade Diversification, with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and with the Prime Minister himself.

International Trade  Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Chinese authorities informed us that two pork exporters' permits had been suspended. I want to clarify that this happened for administrative reasons. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is working with the two companies to find a solution. This kind of thing happens regularly, and we expect to find a solution quickly.

Agriculture committee  I have worked more on the one for the partnership agreement than for CETA, so no, I'm not prepared to give you a clear answer now, but I would be pleased to come back to you.

Agriculture committee  I'm sorry. Could you...?

Agriculture committee  It has been a priority since day one. You have waited six weeks to ask a question at question period.

Agriculture committee  I already told you that I didn't talk to him.