far has been clear that the supply-managed market remains a sacred cow for better, or for worse, as Jeffrey Simpson argued in a recent Globe and Mail column, calling Canada a "double-dealer in world trade."

For now all the federal leaders on the campaign trail, even Stephen Harper, "once a fierce opponent of agricultural protectionism," reports Postmedia News, are touting their parties as defenders of this country's supply-managed markets.

The Canadian Dairy Association has been watching the negotiations closely, says Therese Beaulieu, the association's assistant director of strategic communications. "And reminding the government that that is their position and that's the commitment they made in their electoral platforms. The Liberals kept saying that they are the party of supply management, the Bloc as well. All the parties are committed toissue of supply management, a relatively arcane topic for most Canadians, there's been little discussion from any of the other parties about the agreement during the election. The Trade Justice Network, a conglomeration of groups concerned about CETA including the Council of Canadians, has sent a questionnaire to each of the leaders asking them where they stand on the agreement with hopes of getting the results by later this week.

"We know that the NDP is very concerned, more broadly concerned about the agreement than some of the other parties. The Liberals are supportive in principle, but they have some issues around making sure there's a cultural exception built into CETA as there was in NAFTA that will protect Canada's cultural industries," says Trew.

"Bloc Quebecois is looking for a