Saskatchewan’s lone Liberal Member of Parliament commented on the canola tariff situation while in Moose Jaw this week.
Buckley Belanger, MP for Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River and secretary of state, was asked by media about the federal government’s position on the tariffs.
China imposed a 75.8 per cent tariff on canola seed earlier this month, on top of a 100 per cent tariff on canola oil and meal that came into effect in March. The tariffs have caused the price of canola to fall, leaving producers out millions of dollars.
The move was in response to Canada’s 100 per cent tariff on Chinese electric vehicle imports introduced last August.
Belanger said the federal government understands the frustration canola producers are feeling.
“I can assure people in Saskatchewan we know you grow the best canola, we know it is a problem for you. We know that you want us to keep out of your business, but at the same time we know that you want to see trade relations with China and the U.S. resume as it was before,” he said.
He added that the government has a strong team to negotiate through the canola crisis, but said internal conversations are changing daily.
However, Belanger stopped short of saying the federal government would drop its tariffs on Chinese EVs.
“I can’t share with you any particulars other than to tell you that there’s a lot of discussion happening on this issue every single day, not on the EV issue, but on the canola crisis that we’re facing,” Belanger said.
This comes after Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe met with federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald and other industry groups last week to discuss the Chinese tariffs.
Moe is expected to travel to China next month to hold discussions with the Chinese government.