I'd just like to reiterate what I've said on a few other occasions now.
Mr. Atamanenko is correct; we are going back and forth on this. The government was elected 29 months ago--29 months ago, Mr. Chair--and something needs to be done. Frankly, something needed to be done 29 months ago.
I take great offence at Mr. Lauzon's suggestion that these good people are being used--I guess by me--as political pawns. Nothing could be further from the truth. I'll indicate to Mr. Lauzon that I will not quickly forget that remark.
I am responding to hundreds of tobacco farmers in my area and in neighbouring ridings who have e-mailed me on a daily basis, describing for me very cogently, very descriptively, the financial situation they find themselves in, which is extremely dire. So no, they are not being used as political pawns. They are here begging the government to finally do something, do something in a tangible fashion, after 29 months.