But he did speak about deliverables, and he basically left the impression of how wonderful things are on the farm. He talked about the fact that fewer than 0.5% of farm credit accounts are in arrears, certainly leaving the impression in the general arena that there are not problems on the farm.
But I've been hearing from farmers. We met with Brad Wildeman in Saskatchewan the other day. I hear from farmers in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the east, and they're all talking about losing their farms.
We're holding this hearing because of concern about COOL and the red meat industry, which is in trouble as we're losing producers. In fact, in Atlantic Canada we're losing the beef industry; 60% of the hog industry is gone in P.E.I. and the beef industry is in huge trouble. Our bigger producers are leaving.
So I have to ask, why are you here? Yes, we asked you, but I'm wondering, are we wrong? Is what we're hearing wrong? Is the minister right that the industry is absolutely healthy and that there is no problem on the farm?