HALIFAX, N.S. — Provincial agriculture ministers remain uneasy about the outcome of a Canada-European Union trade deal, despite federal assurances that supply management protections will be preserved, says Nova Scotia’s John MacDonell.
As co-chair of last week’s federal-provincial ministers’ meeting, he was asked what assurances provincial ministers received from federal minister Gerry Ritz.
“The minister’s been unequivocal in his support,” MacDonell said.
But not even Ritz knows what “wrinkles” may arise as negotiators try to wrap up a deal this year.
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“We’re assured that when our federal colleagues are at the table that they’re actually standing behind supply management and in support of it,” he said.
“That goes a long way but until the ‘i’s are dotted and ‘t’s are crossed, we’ll be concerned.”
Ritz said provincial governments are in the loop with representatives receiving briefings from federal negotiators during the talks. There should be no surprises for them.
He said he expects a deal to be signed before the end of the year.
“I know the Europeans are now fixated on negotiations with the U.S., but certainly they want to conclude the Canadian one,” he said.
“It’s in their own best interest to conclude this one before moving on.”
Ontario premier and agriculture minister Kathleen Wynne said despite assurance that the supply management system will survive in any deal, she understands there could be some controlled increase in the amount of European cheese allowed into the Canadian market.
It is a demand that European negotiators are making in return for increased access for Canadian hormone-free beef.
