Thank you, Mr. Bellavance. The method will take into account the fact that it is a Canadian program. With respect to the calculation, for grains, Agriculture Canada has already undertaken a study to assess the losses due to American subsidies. The study was done in 2000, and the losses were said to be $1.2 billion. It is probably higher now. It is relatively easy to know what amount would apply to Canadian grain. The calculation was based on the damage caused to each type of crop. Sometimes, the result is different. There is a way to go about determining these figures.
Why do we need a flexible companion program? The needs are different throughout Canada. Quebec and Ontario farmers live very close to the American border. Our products are similar to the ones that are subsidized by the Americans, so we are strongly affected by the corn, soy and wheat subsidies. That is why we are trying to find some way to solve our problem by emphasizing the areas where the problem really exists in order to save the government as much money as possible. With our program, producers must invest a certain amount of money. When they pay a premium, they become more accountable.