Listen, I have a right to issue a press release any time I want to, guys. The fact of the matter is that the question was raised in the House, the agri-retailers met with us, and it is a serious issue.
I support this resolution, Alex. The problem here is that Canadian agri-retailers are being put at an extreme disadvantage, which is going to impact on primary producers as well, because they will pass that cost on.
The Canadian agri-retailers association has basically said they expect the cost of this added security will be about $75,000 for a small operation on the prairies. They have to put the security fence around. They first were supposed to put lighting around, but I think that's been withdrawn as a requirement.
In any event, they figure the cost will be about $75,000. It is being demanded by the Government of Canada. It's not a cost that should come out of agriculture; it really should have come out of the security measures, which billions of dollars have been put in place for.
Last week or the week before, the United States Farm Bill was passed, and they overrode the veto of President Bush. In that Farm Bill, for these similar security measures, it's $100,000 per unit, up to a maximum of $2 million for multiple units. That is being covered by the U.S. Treasury. In Canada there is no assistance.
Therefore, support for this bill...because if we're going to be in a level playing field, and security is the issue, then the Government of Canada--not out of its agriculture budget--should be assisting these industries.
That's where we're coming from.