It is all a matter of dependence. In rural areas where farming is more developed and people are in direct contact with a producer who provides beef or various other products, they will be able to survive a while longer. However, in cities—and I am thinking of the situation in Sherbrooke, which has some 15 superstores—if disaster struck, stores would be empty in three days, and homes two weeks later.
In the area of public safety, people are being educated and encouraged to be self-sufficient for a two-week period, as far as water and food go. We don't know what can happen. In 1998, the ice storm went on for 28 days, in some cases. Therefore, a certain level of food self-sufficiency is necessary. Food dependence was created when we started to rely on foreign markets. I think that is the root of the problem. Things would be different if we produced our food and imported our surplus. The surplus has become essential. In these conditions, if I need a banana on a daily basis, there is a problem with the local agriculture, which has failed to provide a product that could replace the banana.
I am not against people eating a banana once a week or once a month. I have nothing against imported products, but they should not take the place of our local products. However, since 1980, imported products have slowly been replacing our local ones.