Business of Supply  Madam Chair, in the supplementary estimates, amounts are allocated to various groups of producers, including meat processors. That helps our producers indirectly. Regarding dairy farmers more specifically, our commitment remains firm. We will provide $1.75 billion for the first

Agriculture and Agri-Food  Mr. Speaker, allow me to reiterate everything that we are doing for our producers. We care about them. We know how essential their work is and how important they are in ensuring Canada's food security. We have risk management programs that offer on average $1.6 billion. We recen

Agriculture and Agri-Food  Mr. Speaker, there are many programs available for our farmers. We know that we must do more, and we are working with them to make sure we identify which groups have additional needs. We are listening to them. Again, we heard our farmers when they told us that far too few of them

Agriculture and Agri-Food  Mr. Speaker, once again, I would like to remind the House that Canada already has a suite of risk management programs available. These risk management programs are enhanced by various other complementary programs. Taken together, the programs make $1.6 billion available to farmer

Agriculture and Agri-Food  Mr. Speaker, I would never, ever insult farmers. I have way too much respect for the farmers I have been spending a lot of time with lately. They are the beating heart of my riding. I have enormous respect for farmers, and I know they know it. We ware improving our programs. Let

Canadian Dairy Commission Act  Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues well know, we are currently in emergency mode. We have introduced programs aimed at helping as many Canadians and businesses as we can. We have also begun implementing more targeted measures for each sector, including agriculture, for example. Righ

Canadian Dairy Commission Act  Mr. Speaker, yes, we are committed to supporting our farmers and ranchers across the country. I have to remind them to use the business management program as much as they can through AgriStability, which we have improved, and we have given them more flexibility. They can apply un

Canadian Dairy Commission Act  Mr. Speaker, it is directly related to COVID. With the closure of restaurants and hotels, the demand for milk and cheese has decreased significantly. The Canadian Dairy Commission will be using its normal tools, but will also have a higher capacity to buy milk and cheese to store

Canadian Dairy Commission Act  Mr. Speaker, we have already announced a $1.75-billion compensation package for dairy farmers for the trans-Pacific free trade deals. We are also committed to continuing to deliver compensation for the agreement with the United States and Mexico. The free trade agreement being r

Canadian Dairy Commission Act  Mr. Speaker, I am working with the Minister of International Trade, who is responsible for allocating tariff quotas. We are paying close attention to this matter. A consultation was already under way, but it has been postponed for a few months because of the COVID-19 crisis.

Canadian Dairy Commission Act  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his interest and collaboration. We committed to doing more for farmers. That is a priority industry. However, I want to reiterate that farmers are encouraged to take full advantage of existing programs. In recent years, the risk management

Canadian Dairy Commission Act  Mr. Speaker, I would say no. The Canadian Dairy Commission already had a borrowing capacity of $300 million, and it had all the capacity it needed to manage the supply. It was asking for this increase before the end of this month.

Canadian Dairy Commission Act  moved that Bill C-16, An Act to amend the Canadian Dairy Commission Act, be read the second time and referred to a committee. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this bill to amend the Canadian Dairy Commission Act. I urge hon. members to offer their support as well. This mea

Canadian Dairy Commission Act  moved for leave to introduce Bill C-16, An Act to amend the Canadian Dairy Commission Act. (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

COVID-19 Pandemic  Madam Chair, I assure the member that discussions are under way with the provinces. I talk to my provincial counterparts at least once a week, and risk management programs are obviously on the agenda. These programs exist. I know that producers want these programs to be improved