Regarding FCC and why we exist, it really goes back to where we came from. The first organization that was part of our organization was the Farm Loan Board, and it was established after the dirty thirties. There were no mortgages available to farmers post that period from the private sector FIs, so the Government of Canada established that organization.
The other organization that was part of our foundings was from the veterans land administration act, which was after World War II, to settle the vets. An organization was set up to do that. We were brought together in 1959 and really have provided a lot of the mortgage financing for Canadian farmers from that time forward. That would be our primary area of participation. Of course, that has expanded as the industry has changed, with regard to equipment and to being able to provide some really unique operating types of facilities and also with regard to the agribusiness and agrifood sector.
We're not a deposit-taker. The chartered banks of Canada would be much more active in the operating loan area. We provide an alternative in every area of Canada and in every community in Canada that's involved in agriculture. There's that consistent availability of credit no matter where you're located.
When I look at the organization, what's unique about us is that we're only in agriculture; we have nowhere to go. When things are good, we're in and we participate fully, and when things get tough, we go nowhere. We stay in and we participate fully. That would be different from some of the other FIs that could make other choices if, for example, there was a robustness in the economy somewhere else where they could play a little bit more than in agriculture. Those things are their reality but not ours. I think there are some subtle differences, and long-term thinking is a big thing.