Mr. Morel, I'm not sure it's such a good idea to come before the agriculture committee and tell us how fortunate farmers are, compared to others, to pay such high prices for their fuel. We hear from farmers every day and we know that they are feeling the effects of rising production costs, particularly fuel costs. I really don't think it is appropriate to say that farmers are fortunate to see fuel prices advertised at $1.25 a litre, at a time when we are trying to further reduce our dependence on this energy source. In that respect, Bill C-33has the advantage of developing a renewable energy framework.
You also stated in your presentation that providing subsidies for renewable fuel was not your preferred option. It is rather odd to hear this from a person representing an industry that received in the neighbourhood of $1 billion in tax breaks in 2007. We know how much the Conservative government likes the oil companies. Your presentation was hair-raising, to say the least.