Thank you for the question.
I guess I could only agree with your observations about the importance of these programs in providing a competitive base for our growers. The challenge, I think, for those kinds of investments is exactly where do governments put money? Let me give you an example.
There are the programs you mentioned—AgriCompetitiveness, AgriInnovation—and I'd add AgriMarketing. There are programs that could help the producer or producer organization market product both in Canada and abroad. There are programs that would partner producer groups with research performers to look at pest resistance, disease resistance, issues such as the delivery of nutrients in a way that directly targets when the nutrient is needed and where, so that you avoid waste and you avoid runoff. Then there are investments in variety development that could target a consumer-preferred trait or higher yields.
The challenge is for government not to make a decision about keeping those programs, because I think most governments, in fact, I can say with some confidence all governments, that we're talking to at my level are certainly very supportive of that kind of programming. The challenge that governments face is where do we invest, and as I mentioned in my remarks, where is that last dollar of investment going to be of greatest value? That's where additional feedback through the committee or directly from producers and producer groups and food processors can be most helpful.