Chilliwack-Hope MP Strahl was again pressing the federal Liberals on behalf of the agri-food industry.

On Friday he was one of five MPs applying pressure in the virtual House of Common to find out exactly when dairy farmers can expect the compensation owed to them.

B次元官网网址淥ur dairy farmers produce the highest quality milk in the world, but recent trade deals have given away more of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 dairy market to foreign farmers,B次元官网网址� Strahl said.

The dairy sector was promised a multi-year compensation package for granting market access in the latest trade deal, but they havenB次元官网网址檛 made it crystal clear when payments for the second year of the deal will be forthcoming.

The Liberal Minister of Agriculture, Marie-Claude Bibeau has been quoted saying that payments for Year 2 (of 8) for CETA and CPTPP compensation to under the Canada-European Union trade agreement (CETA) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will be paid B次元官网网址渂efore the end of the year.B次元官网网址�

Strahl argued that phrasing made it unclear if the minister meant December 31, 2020 or the end of government fiscal year, March 31, 2021.

B次元官网网址淭he farmers in my riding donB次元官网网址檛 need the Parliamentary Secretary to read them a story and give them the same answer heB次元官网网址檚 just given four times in Question Period,B次元官网网址� the MP said with a hint exasperation in his voice.

B次元官网网址淥n what date will compensation be paid to farmers across this country?B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淎gain, our government recognizes the crucial role supply management plays in keeping our rural communities vibrant,B次元官网网址� said Neil Ellis, parliamentary secretary, Agriculture and Agri-Food replying to the MP. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檒l always be there to defend it. That is why during the recent NAFTA negotiations we protected supply management from American effort to dismantle it.B次元官网网址�

The Liberals pledged to make $1.75 billion available over eight years, in B次元官网网址渇ull, fair compensationB次元官网网址� and that promise is B次元官网网址渇irm,B次元官网网址� Ellis stated.

B次元官网网址淎 promise made is a debt unpaid and itB次元官网网址檚 time the Liberals keep their promises to Canadian dairy farmers,B次元官网网址� concluded MP Strahl. B次元官网网址淟iberals should keep their word and tell Canadian dairy farmers exactly when they will receive the compensation that they have been promised.B次元官网网址�

To watch the video of the exchange in Question Period, visit MP StrahlB次元官网网址檚 Facebook page.

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