Quebec political parties announce common front in favour of supply management
LONGUEUIL, Que. — The leaders of Quebec’s main political parties spoke in unison Friday to defend supply management and send a message to federal negotiators as they held free-trade talks with their U.S. counterparts in Washington, D.C.
Three of the four party leaders rejigged their election campaign schedules to attend an announcement at the Montreal-area headquarters of the Union des producteurs agricoles, which represents Quebec farmers.
Roughly 60 per cent of Quebec agriculture interests are affected by supply management, which controls the production of dairy, eggs and poultry. But as part of the trade talks, the United States wants access to the protected Canadian dairy market for its own oversupply.
Liberal Leader Philippe Couillard said he would reject any trade agreement not accepted by the province’s dairy producers.