Yes.
That's a good question. In my almost five years with FCPC, this has probably been the most challenging issue we've had to manage, and our membership has been split down the middle. The media, I know, has been painting this as the multinational versus the smaller Canadian operation, but I can tell you that we've had some multinationals that have not supported the proposed change either.
The fruit and vegetable processors are most significantly affected. Debbie mentioned the Cadbury Schweppes closure. Any time a plant like that closes, it's the local agriculture market that loses a place to sell. These plant closures hurt farmers.
I wouldn't mind talking a bit more about some of the work we're doing to try to better understand that and how we can stop the bleeding. On that issue, first of all vegetable and fruit processors are in the toughest spot. It has challenged us in industry because there is a trade element to this too. It is a non-tariff trade barrier; let's call it what it is. It was basically in place to protect some sectors of the economy, and a lot of these sectors might not have innovated their plants accordingly. I think the legitimate fear is that you have a lot of other opportunities outside of Canada, and if you're creating all these different can and jar sizes and they come in right away, these existing companies are dead in the water.
There has been a lot of debate on whether we allow time for phase-in or supporting retooling for these plants. Some CEOs or plant managers would tell you that if they were given a few years and some money to support retooling they'd be fine. Others would tell you that wouldn't even help, that this change alone would destroy their businesses.
We've been very transparent with Minister Ritz's office, with the government, with CFIA. We've actually demonstrated both positions in the rationale. That's the beauty of association work when your membership is split.