John Barlow asked Minister MacDonald about Canada’s relationship with China
John Barlow, the Conservative agriculture critic, wanted answers about Canada’s dealings with China and how it pertains to canola farmers.
On Feb. 12, and citing a Reuters report, Barlow asked for clarification about when Canadian canola farmers would see the tariff relief the prime minister promised.
“On January 16, the Prime Minister said that he was engaged in a “new strategic partnership” with the People's Republic of China. He stated, “By March 1...Canada expects that China will [reduce] tariffs on Canadian canola seed to a combined rate of approximately15%.” Today Reuters said that Beijing has delayed a decision on canola tariffs until March 9. No decision means no deal,” Barlow told the House of Commons.
“Why did the Prime Minister mislead Canadian farmers about having a deal to reduce canola tariffs for Canadian farmers?”
Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald responded.
Work with China is ongoing.
“We are working hard. We will continue to work hard. The lines of communication are open with China, and we will continue to work with China and with every trading partner,” the minister said. “I met with the canola farmers last week in Ottawa, and we had a really good meeting. We will continue to work with China and the contacts we have there.”
The Conservatives continued to pressure the government on its canola promises on Feb. 13.
Branden Leslie, the MP for Portage—Lisgar, said farmers need certainty, and asked if the prime minister secured a deal with China or mislead farmers.
Sophie Chatel, the parliamentary secretary to Minister MacDonald, provided the response.
She highlighted China’s commitments to purchasing Canadian canola.
“Yes, we have a great partnership, a renewed strategic partnership, with China to export canola,” she said. “In fact, we know that Chinese importers have already secured 650,000 metric tons of Canadian canola, which is 25% of China's total import last year.”
David Bexte, the Conservative MP for Bow River, also pressed the government for clarity about the canola issue between Canada and China.
“Last year many farmers, including me, chose not to seed canola because of those tariffs and the price collapse. Yet the Prime Minister stood before Canadians and said that tariffs would fall to 15% by March 1,” Bexte said. “The Liberals promised action. All they have delivered is dust. Did the Prime Minister mislead Canadian farmers?”
Yasir Naqvi, the parliamentary secretary to the international trade minister, answered.
He told the House the government is working to reduce Chinese tariffs on canola while negotiating agreements with other countries that can help benefit canola farmers.
Conservative MPs Michael Kram and Billy Morin used their time in question period to ask for answers about Canadian canola and its situation in China.
Chatel responded to Kram by highlighting that Minister MacDonald will be in Mexico to open more markets for Canadian ag. And Naqvi’s response to Morin reaffirmed the government’s efforts to negotiate additional trade deals.