Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I want to thank the minister for being here today and for answering the committee's questions. I'd also like to thank the CFIA official and the others who are joining us today.
Minister, I'd like to discuss the Liberal government's transition and compensation plan for farmers.
You promised to invest $350 million to compensate farmers. That investment is in the form of a fund and the support is conditional. That's a long way from covering the losses of our farmers. They are going to lose huge amounts of money, particularly farmers in Quebec.
Quebec's dairy farmers are asking for $750 million in additional assistance. Earlier today, you said that, further to your consultations, you had determined that $250 million for producers and $100 million for processors over a period of four years were sufficient investments. The industry, particularly in Quebec, is not satisfied with those measures and sees them as nothing more than smoke and mirrors. Producers in my riding are extremely frustrated at the massive losses this agreement is going to cause them in the long run.
Can you tell us why Quebec dairy producers are asking you for $750 million more in assistance?