EDMONTON – Alliance MP Rick Casson figures the best way to avoid long
and costly agricultural trade disagreements with the Americans is to
have an informal process for letting them blow off steam about Canadian
farm policy.
At the Alliance policy convention April 5, delegates strongly approved
his proposal that a “rapid response process” be set up when trade
complaints are made.
Casson said it would be a panel of experts available to hear evidence
as soon as trade pressure starts to build. Both sides could make their
cases and the panel would issue a non-binding report.
“Who knows, it might be enough to head off formal, lengthy and costly
trade disputes,” Casson said in an interview after the resolution was
approved.
“I see it as a way to get the facts out and perhaps some of the steam
let off before it gets into a formal complaint process.”
Members of Casson’s constituency in Lethbridge, Alta., proposed it as
an agricultural policy. The convention broadened it to apply to all
trade.
