Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you, Minister, for coming today and being part of the committee presentation.
I think we realize in Canada—we've had those discussions about the economy, and agriculture cannot be exempt from some of the situations that are happening, not just in Canada, but across the globe. In fact, I think if you were to measure across Canada in comparison to the world, as much as we have issues, we need to be thankful for being in Canada, for the most part.
Minister, during the budget we talked about the farm improvement and marketing cooperatives loans. One of the things that has been brought up, I think by all members, quite honestly, is being able to get young farmers and being able to help new farmers get going. I'm wondering if you could expand a little bit on the legislative changes that have come about in the new farm improvement co-op loans.
Secondly, I'd like you to expand a little bit on the agriculture flexibility. I mean the AgriFlex brought out by the Canadian Federation of Agriculture as their focal point. You touched a little bit at your meetings on the $50 million that had been supported and important for marketing, and I think we've actually heard from others today how significant being able to expand Canada's markets is for our producers. I'm wondering if you might just expand a little bit on the ways in which the agri-flexibility will give farmers some future endeavours.
And then if I have some time, I'd like to just follow up a little bit on some of the discussion around the research.