Thank you.
I have a slightly more complex question regarding a matter of high importance to the Quebec agri-food industry.
The Fondation des entreprises en recrutement de la main-d'oeuvre étrangère, FERME, held a press conference where we learned that losses for 2014 have been assessed at $53.7 million. These losses are due to fruit and vegetables not being harvested by temporary foreign workers. This is jeopardizing our agricultural enterprises.
I also had the opportunity to meet with several producers from my riding who stressed the fact that the federal government changed the requirements for the Temporary Foreign Workers Program right in peak season.
That organization is attempting to meet with various federal government representatives so that they have some confidence in what to expect next year. Their representatives feel that it will still be difficult in 2015 to have access to temporary foreign workers who will work in the fields, on the farms.
I would like to know whether you would be willing to meet the director general of the FERME group, Mr. Hamel. Losses of $53 million are painful! I would like to hear what you have to say about a potential meeting with Mr. Hamel.