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.

sa国际传媒淥ur dairy farmers produce the highest quality milk in the world, but recent trade deals have given away more of Canadasa国际传媒檚 dairy market to foreign farmers,sa国际传媒� Strahl said.

The dairy sector was promised a multi-year compensation package for granting market access in the latest trade deal, but they havensa国际传媒檛 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 sa国际传媒渂efore the end of the year.sa国际传媒�

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

sa国际传媒淭he farmers in my riding donsa国际传媒檛 need the Parliamentary Secretary to read them a story and give them the same answer hesa国际传媒檚 just given four times in Question Period,sa国际传媒� the MP said with a hint exasperation in his voice.

sa国际传媒淥n what date will compensation be paid to farmers across this country?sa国际传媒�

sa国际传媒淎gain, our government recognizes the crucial role supply management plays in keeping our rural communities vibrant,sa国际传媒� said Neil Ellis, parliamentary secretary, Agriculture and Agri-Food replying to the MP. sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檒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.sa国际传媒�

The Liberals pledged to make $1.75 billion available over eight years, in sa国际传媒渇ull, fair compensationsa国际传媒� and that promise is sa国际传媒渇irm,sa国际传媒� Ellis stated.

sa国际传媒淎 promise made is a debt unpaid and itsa国际传媒檚 time the Liberals keep their promises to Canadian dairy farmers,sa国际传媒� concluded MP Strahl. sa国际传媒淟iberals should keep their word and tell Canadian dairy farmers exactly when they will receive the compensation that they have been promised.sa国际传媒�

To watch the video of the exchange in Question Period, visit MP Strahlsa国际传媒檚 Facebook page.

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