Industry Groups Pressuring Parliament to Promptly Pass USMCA

A number of important industry groups, including some who represent agricultural producers, are calling on the House of Commons to quickly ratify the new North America trade agreement

By Charlie Pinkerton and Rachel Emmanuel – iPolitics

Jeff Nielsen, the chair of the Grain Growers of Canada (GGC), which represents over 65,000 farmers, said ratifying the “historic” United States–Mexico-Canada Agreement represents a “meaningful upgrade to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and ensuring our North American market access is preserved.”

“the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association was advocating for Canadian beef farmers and ranchers, and that USMCA was the main topic of discussion”

 

The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA), the industry group that represents the country’s beef farmers and feedlots, displayed their interest in having the deal moved forward by being the most active lobbying group on the federal scene last month.

Jennifer Babcock, government and food industry relations manager for the CCA, said last week that the association was advocating for Canadian beef farmers and ranchers, and that USMCA was the main topic of discussion. She said the CCA was hoping “for a swift ratification when the House returns in January.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters Monday that while his government is focussed on ratifying the deal quickly that they’re also prepared for debate and a committee study on the deal.