Forty years ago, the public took part in certain projects. For example, there was an extensive waterways digging campaign in Quebec to drain lands. The public funded the project because it was subsidized by the Government of Quebec. It was the public that did it, indirectly, but it was nevertheless the public. It's impossible for me to go and ask my neighbour to give me money because I have to protect the river banks; that has to be done collectively. As regards the environment, the Fédération de l'UPA de la Côte-du-Sud alone has already invested $1.9 million for protection purposes.
Earlier you asked a question concerning research. We need a leader who will let us invest in this area and who will serve as a lever to secure more funding. If you invest 30% of the budget in research, that 30% will be multiplied two or three times. That's what's important. It's already been said: it isn't just up to farmers to pay. Right now, it's only the farmers who are paying the environmental bill. Protecting water is a collective duty; it's an asset that serves everyone. It isn't the farmers who go fishing most often; it's the average man and woman. We need everyone to protect this resource.