Lemieux highlights support for supply management

MP Pierre Lemieux highlighted the Conservative Government’s strong support for Canadian farmers and Supply Management, shortly after Canada expressed a formal desire to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

PHOTO CREDIT - MP Pierre Lemieux

Ottawa - November 26, 2011 - MP Pierre Lemieux highlighted the Conservative Government’s strong support for Canadian farmers and Supply Management, shortly after Canada expressed a formal desire to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

"Our position has not changed on supply management - we have always supported, and we will continue to support, the supply management system. It is good for farmers, it is good for consumers and it is good for Canada," said Mr. Lemieux. "This was clearly stated in our 2011 election platform, in our Throne Speech and in speeches given in Parliament by Conservative MPs"

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz reminded Opposition MPs that the current Conservative government has a "tremendous working relationship with the supply managed sector," and that they have successfully defended supply management in every trade deal that they have implemented since having been elected government.

Mr. Lemieux also emphasized the need for Canada to negotiate international trade deals, as these agreements strengthen the Canadian economy, including the agricultural sector.

He stated, "If the U.S. were to put in place a trade deal with Asia-Pacific countries that did not include Canada, then our Canadian farmers would be disadvantaged and they would lose access to these foreign markets because they could not compete against the favourable measures within the trade deal that would benefit U.S. farmers."

Mr. Lemieux explained that establishing a trade deal will offer Canada a strong competitive advantage: "These are challenging economic times and we need to strengthen our export markets for our farmers. Farmers know that we want to see farmers succeed."

He also clarified the process followed in trade negotiations by explaining that when Canada indicates its interest in a trade agreement, it is not prudent to categorically list all the sectors which are non-negotiable before it has even arrived at the negotiating table.

Mr. Lemieux commented, "Once Canada is at the table and the negotiations have commenced, then as part of those negotiations, Canada and the other countries involved in the negotiations identify the commodities or sectors they want to protect."

Mr. Lemieux went further by saying, "Rest assured that we will defend Canada’s interests - we always do."

Mr. Lemieux concluded, "The farmers of my riding know that I am a strong defender of Supply Management. They also know how strongly I and our Conservative government defend and promote supply management both here in Canada and internationally. We have a strong track record!"