Toronto

Canada should put its dairy, poultry and egg “cartels” on the table in trade talks with the United States in exchange for dropping protectionist measures such as the softwood lumber tariff, Conservative Party leadership candidate Maxime Bernier says.

In his latest move to renegotiate NAFTA, U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed duties of up to 24% on Canadian softwood lumber.

If Wisconsin dairy farmers want access to the Canadian market, they should know it’s a two-way street, said Bernier.

It makes sense to phase out the supply management systems in Canada that keep the price of milk and other products artificially high, he said.

“But I will ask (Trump) at the same time, ‘Why do you want to impose a tariff on our softwood lumber?’ ... It is not fair for American consumers who want to build a new house — they will have to pay $1,000 more,” Bernier told the Toronto Sun Tuesday.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s approach would lead to heavier protectionism, he said.

“I want to start the negotiation with more free trade, telling (Trump), ‘Ok, we’ll abolish the dairy cartel, and the poultry and eggs cartel, for Canadian consumers ... but at the same time, Mr. President, what are you going to give us?’” Bernier said. “I want you to put on the table the softwood lumber and other products like that.”

Bernier said he’s the only candidate in the field of 14 vying for the leadership of the Conservative Party that is openly calling for a complete end to supply management and corporate welfare.

He’ll face off against his fellow hopefuls in Toronto on Wednesday night for their final debate before members of the party pick their new leader next month.

What would it take for you to consider this debate a success?

“The goal for me is to be out there answering the questions. Sometimes politicians, they don’t answer the questions ... It’s a principled campaign and we are saying what we believe are the right policies for this country. So my goal is to be out there and having the last occasion to speak to our members — in English and in French — and telling them that I’m the only one who can win and beat Justin Trudeau two years from now.”

Why do you think some of the other candidates, notably Kevin O’Leary or Kellie Leitch, might not be able to beat Justin Trudeau?

“I’m the only candidate having a comprehensive platform. Some of the other candidates are one-issue candidates. Kellie Leitch, it’s all about immigration. Michael Chong, it’s all about the carbon tax ... But I also would be able to speak to Quebeckers and to francophone all across the country and that’s important ... People, they call me the Albertan from Quebec... The big difference between (me) and the other candidates is they want to do some compromise with free market principles.”

Early on you differentiated yourself with your platform, but have you been big-footed by Kevin O’Leary?

“He doesn’t understand our Constitution. He wants to cut transfers to a province (when) they’re doing something in their own jurisdiction, their own responsibility. That’s not what I want to do. My campaign is based on respect and fairness ... Our platform is very different than Kevin O’Leary’s and when he’s speaking about the economy, it is not a real free-market platform ... I don’t want to choose winners and losers, and he’s doing that. He’s an entrepreneur; he likes to make deals. I don’t want to make deals with Bombardier or other corporations.”

The Trudeau government has been trying to show the Trump administration how integrated the U.S. and Canadian economies are. What should they do differently?

“They should be in the U.S. and speaking to U.S. consumers, speaking to Americans, and telling them that this free trade with the U.S. was successful for us and for the Americans ... We must also be open (to) what they’re asking for and right now we’re not open. We’re saying, ‘No, we want to keep that cartel.’ That’s a bad start for the negotiations.”

The supply management supporters will fight you tooth and nail, right?

“They’re fighting me right now. They don’t want me to be the leader of this party ... I’m telling them we’ll do it in five to 10 years, like they did in New Zealand. We’ll give you time to adjust and to invest in your business ... They want to keep their privilege.”

aartuso@postmedia.com