Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Thanks for coming, Mr. Minister.
I want to begin by thanking my colleague for the wonderful compliment he gave me, comparing me to you, Minister, and that we put farmers first. I appreciate that comment sincerely, and let's hope we continue to put farmers first.
Mr. Minister, as you know, I represent a riding that has a high concentration of supply management. You visited, I believe, six weeks ago or so, and at the risk of having you blush, obviously the way you're consulting with farmers works. If you recall, the three standing ovations that you had among 250 people indicated that we're on the right page when it comes to looking after farmers, certainly in eastern Ontario.
I want to get your comments. Supply management, as I said, is so critical to my riding and to many ridings across Canada, and I think we should talk about it. The opposition has a way, it seems, of putting out some insecurity to the supply managed people. I want to go on record and I want you, if you don't mind, to come on record and explain.
I have a letter here from the five chairs of the supply managed groups. It is dated in Ottawa. It was written on February 14. Part of the letter says: Over the past two years, the federal government, and in particular, the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, have repeatedly affirmed the government's strong commitment to stand up for supply management and to defend and deliver on the Canadian position at the WTO negotiations on agriculture.
It goes on to say a number of other things.
Mr. Minister, I would like you to reiterate to this opposition and to the public at large where we stand. We have put it in the throne speech; thePrime Minister, the minister, is on record as fully supporting supply management.
Would you once again please tell the opposition and the Canadian public where we stand on supply management?