Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre on Wednesday confirmed his position on the controversial Supply Management Agreement (SMA), which controls how much dairy a farmer can sell.
Speaking at a press conference in Montmagny, QC, a region rich with dairy farmers, Poilievre commended the previous Conservative government under former Prime Minister Stephen Harper for their commitment to controlling the dairy, poultry and eggs industries.
When asked about the issue, Poilievre responded that he would support farmers — and indicated he has no plans to cancel the agreement which has been widely criticized as the “dairy cartel.”
The SMA tacks on a 250% to 300% tariff to dairy, poultry and eggs, which drives up the price of these items in Canada and prevents them from being sold internationally. Farmers pay a steep price to qualify for a quota, i.e. how much milk they can produce, and anything above that goes to waste.
Video footage circulating on social media over the last few years shows Canadian farmers dumping huge amounts of milk because they’ve reached their “quota” and are ineligible to sell it.
“We will defend our farmers well in all sectors, including supply managed sectors,” said Poilievre.
“When the Conservatives were in power previously, we had an opportunity to sign free trade agreements with dozens of countries around the world, without ever abandoning the supply management system.”
“And I will act exactly the same way when I am prime minister.”
“I will defend farmers when it comes to supply management, and protect the regions of Quebec.”
Poilievre pointed to his opponent, Liberal leader Mark Carney, who appointed known globalist Mark Wiseman, of BlackRock and the World Economic Forum, as his trade adviser.
Wiseman is known for co-founding the Century Initiative, which would inflate Canada’s population to 100 million by 2100.
Poilievre in attempting to insult Carney and Wiseman slammed them for wanting to abolish dairy supply management, though Carney has never said he plans to do so.
“Mr. Carney had Mr. Mark Wiseman as his adviser on trade with the United States. Mr. Wiseman said he wants to destroy the supply management system, so we know exactly what Mr. Carney's plan is in that regard,” said Poilievre.
“He's prepared to sacrifice farmers in any negotiation, we as Conservatives will put farmers first for a change.”
The only federal leader who has said they will abolish the dairy cartel is PPC leader Maxime Bernier.