Thank you.
Before we wrap up, gentlemen, there have been a lot of things mentioned today that I have concerns about. Having you here is key to some of the suggestions and recommendations that come out in this committee's report. I hear a common theme and support by most of the committee.
What I'd like to know is the legislative or regulatory powers you need to increase competition in the four areas that most affect agriculture—the fuel industry, the fertilizer industry, the packing industry, and the ownership of cattle. Ownership of cattle is not illegal, as we all know, but it effectively gives slaughter plants the power to fix the market price, whether intentionally or not. We need some changes to deal with that. We know there's—I'll be gentle—extra price-taking in the fertilizer industry. We've had fertilizer officials here who have all but admitted it. I call it price-gouging. We need some rules.
Grocery stores represent another element that affects not just farmers but also the consumer. I want to know what powers you need to eliminate the ability of grocery stores to charge for shelf space. I relate this to the old days when one of the local mobsters would go around to each of the little stores in town and demand protection. My opinion is that this is legalized extortion. I'm hoping I'll have the support of the committee today. What I want is a recommendation to the government on how we can restrict this practice.
Finally, does Bill C-10 give you the power you need in all these cases? I suspect maybe it doesn't, but it certainly goes a long ways towards it. If it doesn't give you the power, what extra do you need to deal with some of these issues? I'd like you to tell us what you think today, and to respond to us in the next week or 10 days in writing, so we can include it in our report.