The most recent generation of programs were essentially characterized by whole farm programming. Farmers have made choices regarding the development of their businesses: some have chosen to set up a hog enterprise alongside a grain company. The objective is very laudable: producers can grow grain, feed their animals, and have manure for fertilizing the next year's plant material—and all of this can be done in the same place. That aspect is highly laudable. However, whole farm programming penalizes this sort of business. If these businesses chose to operate as two separate entities, one specializing in hog production and one in grain production, they would have a significant advantage with regard to a program.
We do not want a program which targets and privileges one business structure at the expense of another. In Quebec, in light of our unique situation, we have always favoured multi-product production. For example, we have been able to link dairy production to wheat or syrup production. This is what led to the development of farming enterprises in Quebec. The current CAIS program means that diversified businesses are disadvantaged compared to specialized businesses. Businesses could choose to separate their activities in order to benefit from programs, but that is not the route we want to take.