QUESTION PERIOD — Foreign Affairs and International Trade
China--Canola Exports
April 4, 2019
Honourable senators, my question is for the Government Representative in the Senate. I would like to follow up on a question asked yesterday by my honourable colleague Senator Wallin about canola exports to China.
We all know that the trade dispute with China will have very negative effects on our canola farmers and our economy with 40 per cent of our canola exports usually going to China.
We’ve heard the government will be sending a delegation to China and has also formed a working group that includes representatives from the two canola companies whose exports have been suspended.
I am absolutely hopeful that they will come to some sort of a resolution soon, but we don’t know when.
Now a third company is in jeopardy of having their exports to China halted. Canadian canola farmers are preparing for planting now and are the ones bearing the brunt of this trade dispute.
Does the government have plans to compensate or protect Canadian canola farmers?
I thank the honourable senator for his question, and he’s absolutely right in citing the concern of this chamber and the government. Questions have been asked before, and I want to assure the honourable senator that this is a high priority for the government.
As he referenced in his preamble, it is our hope as a government to send a high-level delegation to China to deal with whatever concerns they might have and to offer assurance on a scientific basis of the confidence we have in our product.
As I indicated yesterday, those dates are still being negotiated and discussed.
I should also reference the ongoing consultation with the industry affected and provinces of particular concern. This is a Canada-wide priority, one that is taking place in the context of a difficult period in our bilateral relationship.
With respect to potential compensation, I think that’s a premature commitment at this point, but I want to undertake and state the priority the government has to support our agriculture exporters and on an ongoing basis to review this issue with them. I will certainly bring the honourable senator’s concerns on this matter to the attention of the minister.
