Federal and provincial politicians are on the same page as Saskatchewan’s Premier prepares for trade mission to China

Premier Scott Moe and Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Parliamentary Secretary Kody Blois were among those attending a meeting in Saskatoon on Thursday to discuss Chinese tariffs on Canadian agricultural products.

Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald was also involved in the discussions virtually because of issues with plane connections to Saskatoon. Also attending in person or via internet were representatives from Viterra North America/Bunge, Richardson’s, Parrish & Heimbecker, Canola Council of Canada, SaskOilseeds, Canadian Canola Growers Association, Louis Dreyfus Canada, AGT Foods, G3 and Paterson Global Foods.

Moe confirmed that he will embark on a trade mission to China to discuss hefty tariffs placed on Canadian agricultural products. The Chinese government announced a preliminary 75.8 per cent duty on Canadian canola seed last week, which follows 100 per cent tariffs on Canadian canola meal, canola oil and peas imposed earlier this year.

Moe indicated additional details about his trip to China will be released in a few days but had this to say at a news conference following Thursday’s meeting.

Kody Blois says Prime Minister Mark Carney will be coming to Western Canada soon.

Dean Roberts is the Chair of SaskOilseeds and farms in the Kindersley region, a couple of hours west of Saskatoon. He spoke to reporters following the meeting

Premier Moe also credited the Prime Minister for his engagement on the canola and pea tariffs and said they have had several conversations about the extremely important economic issue for Saskatchewan and the rest of the country. The total economic spinoff generated by Canadian canola is estimated at $43 billion annually when you include the entire value chain from production and transportation to processing and exports. Moe said 200,000 jobs are tied to the Canadian canola sector.

(Photo from left to right: Saskatchewan Trade and Export Development Minister Warren Kaeding, Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister Kody Blois)