Office of MP Pierre Lemieux
Ottawa - November 26, 2011 - MP Pierre Lemieux highlighted the Conservative Government’s strong support for Canadian farmers and Supply Management, shortly after Canada expressed a formal desire to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
"Our position has not changed on supply management - we have always supported, and we will continue to support, the supply management system. It is good for farmers, it is good for consumers and it is good for Canada," said Mr. Lemieux. "This was clearly stated in our 2011 election platform, in our Throne Speech and in speeches given in Parliament by Conservative MPs"
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz reminded Opposition MPs that the current Conservative government has a "tremendous working relationship with the supply managed sector," and that they have successfully defended supply management in every trade deal that they have implemented since having been elected government.
Mr. Lemieux also emphasized the need for Canada to negotiate international trade deals, as these agreements strengthen the Canadian economy, including the agricultural sector.
He stated, "If the U.S. were to put in place a trade deal with Asia-Pacific countries that did not include Canada, then our Canadian farmers would be disadvantaged and they would lose access to these foreign markets because they could not compete against the favourable measures within the trade deal that would benefit U.S. farmers."
Mr. Lemieux explained that establishing a trade deal will offer Canada a strong competitive advantage: "These are challenging economic times and we need to strengthen our export markets for our farmers. Farmers know that we want to see farmers succeed."
He also clarified the process followed in trade negotiations by explaining that when Canada indicates its interest in a trade agreement, it is not prudent to categorically list all the sectors which are non-negotiable before it has even arrived at the negotiating table.
Mr. Lemieux commented, "Once Canada is at the table and the negotiations have commenced, then as part of those negotiations, Canada and the other countries involved in the negotiations identify the commodities or sectors they want to protect."
Mr. Lemieux went further by saying, "Rest assured that we will defend Canada’s interests - we always do."
Mr. Lemieux concluded, "The farmers of my riding know that I am a strong defender of Supply Management. They also know how strongly I and our Conservative government defend and promote supply management both here in Canada and internationally. We have a strong track record!"
http://www.ourhometown.ca/news/NL0797.php
"Our position has not changed on supply management - we have always supported, and we will continue to support, the supply management system. It is good for farmers, it is good for consumers and it is good for Canada," said Mr. Lemieux. "This was clearly stated in our 2011 election platform, in our Throne Speech and in speeches given in Parliament by Conservative MPs"
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz reminded Opposition MPs that the current Conservative government has a "tremendous working relationship with the supply managed sector," and that they have successfully defended supply management in every trade deal that they have implemented since having been elected government.
Mr. Lemieux also emphasized the need for Canada to negotiate international trade deals, as these agreements strengthen the Canadian economy, including the agricultural sector.
He stated, "If the U.S. were to put in place a trade deal with Asia-Pacific countries that did not include Canada, then our Canadian farmers would be disadvantaged and they would lose access to these foreign markets because they could not compete against the favourable measures within the trade deal that would benefit U.S. farmers."
Mr. Lemieux explained that establishing a trade deal will offer Canada a strong competitive advantage: "These are challenging economic times and we need to strengthen our export markets for our farmers. Farmers know that we want to see farmers succeed."
He also clarified the process followed in trade negotiations by explaining that when Canada indicates its interest in a trade agreement, it is not prudent to categorically list all the sectors which are non-negotiable before it has even arrived at the negotiating table.
Mr. Lemieux commented, "Once Canada is at the table and the negotiations have commenced, then as part of those negotiations, Canada and the other countries involved in the negotiations identify the commodities or sectors they want to protect."
Mr. Lemieux went further by saying, "Rest assured that we will defend Canada’s interests - we always do."
Mr. Lemieux concluded, "The farmers of my riding know that I am a strong defender of Supply Management. They also know how strongly I and our Conservative government defend and promote supply management both here in Canada and internationally. We have a strong track record!"
http://www.ourhometown.ca/news/NL0797.php
1 comment:
Pierre Lemieux assures Canadians that the decades old Supply Management will not be cast aside because of Canada’s desire to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership. He speaks of the great track record the government has had in protecting the farmers. Mr. Lemieux further emphasizes Canada’s need of international trade deals in order to prevent the loss of access to foreign markets. Canadian farmers would be disadvantaged if this were to happen. This is because they could not compete with the favourable measures created by the TPP, like lower tariffs, that the U.S. would share with Asian markets. The foreign investment in the agricultural sector is extremely important for the future prosperity of Canadian farmers and diversity of trade. However, recalling the previous article on this issue, countries like New Zealand, Australia and other TPP members do not want Canada to join the TPP due to the Supply Management policy. Canada may have to abandon it if they wish to be a part of the TPP. Now it is up to the negotiations and Canadian government choosing which battle to fight, increasing foreign investment and abandoning the Supply Management policy or making trading deals on their own without the TPP.
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