Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government, but before I begin, Senator Harder, I want to recognize the tribute you paid to our ancestors the Mennonites, Doukhobors and Hutterites, and thank you very much for that. I appreciate that.

Now, having said that, let’s get on to real business.

Leader, my question today concerns the ongoing trade dispute with China that is impacting our canola exports and the weak response displayed by our government to date.

Richardson International, based in Winnipeg, our largest canola exporter to China, had its export permit cancelled by Chinese officials two months ago today, on March 1. Since then, senator, the situation has only gotten worse. The Chinese have mainly ignored a letter sent last month by the Minister of Agriculture, Marie-Claude Bibeau, and Canada has not had a permanent ambassador to China since January when John McCallum was fired from his post.

Why has your government been so slow to address the canola crisis? When will your government have a permanent ambassador on the ground in China to help defend Canadian interests?

I thank the honourable senator for his question. Before I answer his question, let me thank him for his preamble. For those of you who are on the inside, his ancestors came to Canada in the 19th century and, therefore, were not subject to the order-in-council I referenced. If I was cheeky, I would say they advertised the brand and it found wanting in Canada. But I wouldn’t be cheeky.

In response to the very serious question that has been raised, let me reconfirm the priority the government gives to the situation faced by our canola farmers and exporters. This is a serious matter. There are other issues attendant to our bilateral relations with China that I don’t need to reference, but senators will know that the government is using all available channels to deal with all of these.

With respect to canola specifically, Canada is, as I have said repeatedly, seeking a science-based solution.

It is true, the Government of China has not yet responded to the request for a delegation to be permitted to visit China and discuss the scientific issues that are apparently part of the Chinese concern.

As honourable senators will know, the government has set up a working group respectful of the stakeholders involved, and is also ensuring that we put in place a robust system of support to our farmers, which has recently been announced. In addition to that, it is important that Canada continue to find alternative markets, and the government is redoubling its efforts, Minister Carr in particular, with planned visits to Asia taking place in the coming days. Obviously, this is a serious situation requiring all hands on deck, and they are.

With respect to our representation in China, I want to confirm that the chargés d’affaires, Jim Nickel, is an extraordinary public servant, and is continuing to lead a mission dedicated to protecting Canada’s interest and Canadians who are caught in China in very unfortunate circumstances at this time.

That’s bordering on the longest answer I’ve ever gotten out of the Leader of the Government. Thank you for that.