Thank you for being here today. Imports of milk proteins is an issue of great concern. This is what is shaking up the foundations of the supply management system, particularly import restrictions which constitute one of the pillars of the system.
You yourself said that the minister told you he supported supply management. The former government also supported supply management. Everyone says that they support supply management. But what have we done in practical terms to protect supply management? Mr. Easter just mentioned section 28. There are also regulations that could be put in place. Officials from the finance department are not here for nothing. They are here because we could go through the Department of Finance to have access to regulatory measures. There are means and solutions we can use to protect import restrictions, which constitute the pillar of the supply management system.
Earlier on, you mentioned problems with applying section 28 under NAFTA. Have you read the testimony of the Dairy Farmers of Canada, who appeared before us, or the legal opinion they obtained on the use of section 28? According to that legal opinion, using section 28 did not have the same consequences as those you identified. Are you familiar with their testimony and opinion?