The Conservatives want to know how the government is responding to Chinese tariffs on farmers
What are the Liberals doing to help farmers affected by Chinese tariffs?
That’s what John Barlow, the Conservative agriculture critic, asked the House on Oct 28.
“Will the Prime Minister, when he meets with his Chinese counterpart this week, fight for farmers and get tariff reductions, or will he come back empty-handed yet again?” Barlow said.
Sophie Chatel, the parliamentary secretary to Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald, told the House the minister and prime minister are in Asia to work to resolve the issue.
Barlow followed up to highlight that the longer the tariffs are in place, the worse off farmers are.
“It is not just canola. Peas, pork and seafood are all facing Chinese tariffs. Canadian beef has been blocked from China since 2021. Farm families are literally paying for Liberal inaction. Farmers deserve to be a priority,” he said.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand responded, telling the House she discussed ag issues with Chinese and Indian reps during a trip to the Indo-Pacific.
She gave a similar answer when Jeremy Patzer, the Conservative MP for Swift Current-Grasslands-Kindersley, asked about the slow Liberal response to Chinese tariffs.
On Oct. 29, MPs pressed the Liberals to remove the industrial carbon tax.
Scot Davidson, the Conservative representative from New Tecumseth-Gwillimbury, asked why it’s still in place.
The prime minister “claims there is no impact, even if it increases costs on farm equipment, fertilizer, and, ultimately, groceries,” he said.”
Wayne Long, the secretary of state for the Canada Revenue Agency, said the Conservatives are “focused on imaginary taxes” while the Liberals are providing tax cuts to Canadians.
Conservative Agriculture Critic John Barlow again asked about tariffs.
New Indian tariffs, in addition to those from China, put added pressure on Canadian farmers.
“As a result, 80% of Canada's pea markets now face tariffs worldwide. This is putting Canadian farmers at risk, as prices have dropped more than 40%,” he said while asking if farmers will receive tariff relief.
Taleeb Noormohamed, the parliamentary secretary to the minister of artificial intelligence and digital innovation, told the House the government is working to ensure farmers have fair market access around the world.
On Oct. 30, Barlow wanted answers about why farmers are continually caught in geopolitical crosshairs.
“Why is it that Canadian farmers are the ones paying the price for the Prime Minister’s vanity tour,” he said.
Minister Anand responded indicating Pakistan has placed orders for Canadian canola.
Steven Bonk, the Conservative MP for Souris-Moose Mountain, also pressed the government for results for farmers.
“The canola sector is bigger than Canada's steel, aluminum and auto sectors combined, yet the government treats it like an afterthought,” he said.
Sophie Chatel, the parliamentary secretary to Minister MacDonald, told the House the government is working on this issue.
On Oct. 31, Michael Kram, the Conservative MP for Regina-Wascana, asked why the victims of unfair trade are Canadian farmers.
“India has slapped a 30% tariff on Canadian peas and a 10% tariff on lentils. Canada cannot export beef to the United Kingdom, but the U.K. can and does export beef to Canada,” he said. “When will the Prime Minister finally stop with the photo ops and finally get a deal for Canadian producers?”
Yasir Naqvi, the parliamentary secretary to Minister Anand, replied by telling the House the government will always stand up for farmers and “get the best deal for them all around the world.”
Prime Minister Carney provided an update on his recent meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The prime minister said he wasn’t expecting results on getting China to remove its tariffs on Canadian ag goods, he said on Nov. 1.