There has been significant media attention on supply management in recent months.
 
Federal and Provincial Government leadership, however, have come out strongly in their support of supply management. A collection of recent quotes is below.
 
 
“We have in this country an agricultural sector that as a whole is very healthy these days, but in particular, dairy, poultry and other sectors have been very healthy agricultural sectors in this country, and that’s why we think our policies are valuable. I continue to believe that we can advance our interests while at the same time protecting our interests in those various sectors.”
-          Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Press Conference, November 13th)
 
“All countries approach negotiations with a view to protecting their interests. Canada's approach to TPP will not be different in this regard. Canada will seek to defend and promote our specific interests in every sector of our economy, including supply management.”
-          Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence,  November 14th
 
“Our position on supply management has not prevented us from signing trade agreements with a number of countries around the globe. Our position on supply management has been clear. We defend it and it is good for Canadian farmers.”
-          Gerald Keddy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade (House of Commons, November 14th)  
 
“The supply management system is non-negotiable.”
-          Jean Charest, Quebec Premier (Canadian Press, November 15th)
 
“This system, which has proven its value, protects our dairy and poultry producers from foreign competition and allows our family farms to survive.”
-          Nycole Turmel, Opposition Leader (NDP Press Release, November 16th)
 
“As we have done in every trade negotiation, our government will seek to defend and promote Canada’s interest in every sector of our economy. This includes continuing to defend Canada’s system of supply management.”
-          Minister of International Trade, Ed Fast, and Minister of Agriculture, Gerry Ritz (Responding to criticisms in the Ottawa Citizen, November 17th)
 
“Supply management is something that we will continue to defend and promote.”
-          Maxime Bernier, Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism (The Globe and Mail, November 18th)
 
“We’ve looked at competitiveness for years here in the one area where farmers aren’t receiving their incomes from cheques in the mail from the government to their mailboxes: the supply managed industry. Other countries, such as the United States, highly subsidize their farmers, well beyond what Canadians have ever done. So we’re behind you, and you need to know we’re behind you.”
-          Frank Valeriote, Liberal Agriculture Critic  (Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food meeting, November 22nd)
 
“You show me an economic study where if Dairy Farmers of Canada were disbanded or the poultry farmers were disbanded, that somehow that would benefit consumers. Show me where that would flow through to consumers. I don’t see that.”
-          Agriculture Minister, Gerry Ritz (Press Conference, November 28th)
 
“If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”
-          Bob Bjornerud, Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister (Press Conference, November 28th)  
 
“We aren’t lobbied for changes to the supply management industry in our province.”
-          Evan Berger, Alberta Agriculture Minister (Press Conference, November 28th)  
 
“I am very proud to represent dairy farmers in my riding. My dairy farmers are very happy with the way supply management is working. It is a successful program that our government supports.”
-          Candice Hoeppner, MP for Portage—Lisgar, MB (Conservative) (House of Commons, November 28th)
 
“As in all of its past FTAs, Canada has excluded over-quota supply managed dairy, poultry and egg products from any tariff reductions, and that is a good thing.”
-          Wayne Easter, Liberal Trade Critic, re. the Canada-Jordan Economic Growth and Prosperity Act (House of Commons, December 14th)