Dennis, if I could, then, let me ask you a couple of specific questions on that. You admit the breeding herd industry is in serious decline. The minister certainly didn't.
I would like to know if the Canadian Cattlemen's Association has any figures on how much the debt has increased for the beef industry this year at the farm level. We agreed with the government in terms of extending the advance payments and getting money out there, but we know you can't borrow yourself out of debt. I assume the industry is left with a much larger debt than last year's.
You mentioned in your presentation that Saskatchewan today is announcing a $40-per-head payment. One of the things Brad mentioned to me was his concern about the Alberta program. Are we really, then, in this country, getting a patchwork quilt of programs at the provincial level because there's an absolute vacuum of leadership at the national level? Is that what's happening? We're getting no leadership at all from the national level.
I have three specific questions.
First, I believe the cattle industry asked for the elimination of the viability test. Has that happened? Has that been “delivered”, as the minister says?
Second, they've asked for the better of the Olympic or previous three-year average for reference margin calculations. Has that happened?
Third, they've asked for the better of AgriStability, tier 1, or AgriInvest. Has that happened?
Those are deliverables that the government could deliver today to save this industry and it isn't happening. Have they been delivered?