Economics
Dairy Farmers Doubt Trudeau's Aid Pledge Will Cover Their Loss
- U.S. will gain more access to Canadian market under new Nafta
- Trade pact will cause Canada’s sector to shrink: dairy group
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Canada’s farmers say that a government pledge to cover dairy losses from a new trade deal struck with the U.S. will probably fall short of what they need.
The pact, which also includes Mexico, will give the U.S. greater access to Canada’s protected dairy market, eliminate the nation’s new milk-pricing system and restrict the sector’s ability to export. While Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised to compensate farmers to cushion the blow, industry groups say past experience has shown that aid packages amount to a “pittance,” and the government won’t be able to cover the financial hit the industry is poised to take.