Chilliwack-Hope MP Strahl was again pressing the federal Liberals on behalf of the agri-food industry.
On Friday he was one of five MPs applying pressure in the virtual House of Common to find out exactly when dairy farmers can expect the compensation owed to them.
鈥淥ur dairy farmers produce the highest quality milk in the world, but recent trade deals have given away more of Canada鈥檚 dairy market to foreign farmers,鈥� Strahl said.
The dairy sector was promised a multi-year compensation package for granting market access in the latest trade deal, but they haven鈥檛 made it crystal clear when payments for the second year of the deal will be forthcoming.
The Liberal Minister of Agriculture, Marie-Claude Bibeau has been quoted saying that payments for Year 2 (of 8) for CETA and CPTPP compensation to under the Canada-European Union trade agreement (CETA) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will be paid 鈥渂efore the end of the year.鈥�
Strahl argued that phrasing made it unclear if the minister meant December 31, 2020 or the end of government fiscal year, March 31, 2021.
鈥淭he farmers in my riding don鈥檛 need the Parliamentary Secretary to read them a story and give them the same answer he鈥檚 just given four times in Question Period,鈥� the MP said with a hint exasperation in his voice.
鈥淥n what date will compensation be paid to farmers across this country?鈥�
鈥淎gain, our government recognizes the crucial role supply management plays in keeping our rural communities vibrant,鈥� said Neil Ellis, parliamentary secretary, Agriculture and Agri-Food replying to the MP. 鈥淲e鈥檒l always be there to defend it. That is why during the recent NAFTA negotiations we protected supply management from American effort to dismantle it.鈥�
The Liberals pledged to make $1.75 billion available over eight years, in 鈥渇ull, fair compensation鈥� and that promise is 鈥渇irm,鈥� Ellis stated.
鈥淎 promise made is a debt unpaid and it鈥檚 time the Liberals keep their promises to Canadian dairy farmers,鈥� concluded MP Strahl. 鈥淟iberals should keep their word and tell Canadian dairy farmers exactly when they will receive the compensation that they have been promised.鈥�
To watch the video of the exchange in Question Period, visit MP Strahl鈥檚 Facebook page.
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