Justin Trudeau is Failing Canadian Farmers

Ottawa, Ontario – As Members of Parliament return to their ridings for the summer recess, Conservative Shadow Ministers for Agriculture and Agri-Food, Luc Berthold and John Barlow, issued the following statement:

“Justin Trudeau is failing Canadian farmers. Never in recent history has a government demonstrated such indifference towards agriculture and agri-food in Canada. The Liberals’ long list of failures includes: a budget that hardly mentioned agriculture, a rail car backlog that cost grain producers thousands of dollars, a weak defense of supply management, a secret redesign of the food guide, and a new front-of-package labeling plan. These are just some examples of Justin Trudeau’s lack of interest in working hard for Canada’s rural economy.

“On international trade, Justin Trudeau’s disastrous trip to India failed to settle heavy tariffs on pulse imports and to secure an agreement on fumigation. Italy also closed the door on Canadian wheat. The Prime Minister’s hypocrisy was on full display when he defended supply management in Saguenay while stating the opposite on American television.

“Canadian farmers also risk missing out on the potential of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, as the Trudeau Liberals have failed to take the necessary steps to pass legislation implementing the deal before the summer break. This has prevented Canadian producers from accessing to these important markets.

“Canadian farmers also stand to be devastated by the Liberals’ carbon tax. However, Justin Trudeau refuses to tell farmers how much they will have to pay for it. Worse still, the Liberals even tried to claim that farmers support this unfair, punishing tax.

“Under the leadership of Andrew Scheer, Canada’s Conservatives vigorously defended our vital agriculture industry, holding Justin Trudeau and the Liberals to account. We will continue to work with our producers to help them survive the Liberals’ bad policies and total inaction on this critical file.”