Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
First of all, thank you very much for the opportunity to sit in front of this committee today and to share some of our thoughts in regard to Bill C-18.
My name is Jaye Atkins. I am the chief executive officer of Agricultural Credit Corporation, a not-for-profit organization that administers the commodity loan program for the provincial government and also the advance payments program on behalf of the federal government through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The Agricultural Credit Corporation, ACC, is the second largest administrator of the advance payments program and the only administrator currently administering the program in every province across Canada.
We administer the advance payments program to producers of over 250 commodities which, due to various sizes or types, translates into over 4,000 individual product listings.
Agriculture continues to change due to increased technology, improved genetics, causes and effects of world markets, new and improved growing practices, and the increased demand for products, particularly in the areas of biomass and products that are now being sourced for new and innovative uses. It is important that the ability to finance these crops and subsequent products through channels that do not overburden the producer and reflect the changing financial landscape is available to producers nationally.
In reference to Bill C-18, our organization believes strongly that the changes brought forth in regard to the advance payments program assist in updating the Agricultural Marketing Programs Act and better reflect the common and acceptable practices of today's financial industry. Due to the increased costs of production, particularly in the last decade, changes that are proposed will assist in maximizing the eligible advances producers may receive under the program by allowing them more flexibility in the manner in which they qualify for, secure, and repay a loan.
Also proposed changes, particularly in the area of recognizing the changing of many farm operations from sole proprietorships to corporations, cooperatives, and registered partnerships, while still maintaining clear attribution guidelines, reflect current financial institution practices and more commonly reflect the changing ownership structures of many of the farms in production today.
As an organization, we are very pleased with the changes that are proposed and believe they will greatly improve our ability to administer this program. Although there are areas in which we would like to see more changes, particularly in regard to proof of sales and a more reflective calculation of administrator's liability, we completely understand the limitations that may exist to prevent this.
My request to the committee is that once enacted, the act be implemented, defined, and applied consistently to all organizations that administer the program, so all producers nationally are treated equally and fairly, and that all administrators are required to adhere to the act and the guidelines without exception.
I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to be here today. I, too, will take any questions you may have.