Thank you again, honourable member.
I would make two points. One, as has been referenced by a number of witnesses today and previously, is that part of the answer is in the issue of education and information. Again, I think there are those with deliberate intent who, regardless of how well-informed they are, will still make efforts to disrupt agricultural production based on values that are disconnected from where agriculture is today.
Beyond education, the other component of your question largely has to be answered by considering how you would enforce the provisions of this bill. Many witnesses have spoken about the challenges of enforcement. Dr. Ceelen has spoken about the role that veterinarians play on farms in Canada, and I would have a concern if the bill is envisioned as requiring more veterinary resources, whether they be federally with the CFIA, provincially with provincial governments, or from the private sector. We are already experiencing a significant shortage of veterinarians in Canada, and I would be concerned that in order to enhance the CFIA resources, those resources are going to come at the direct expense of veterinarians who are currently in private practice or in other types of practice. They'll move to the CFIA, which then creates vulnerabilities. It's a “rob Peter to pay Paul” scenario.
I think the issue isn't so much around the big area. It's around the enforcement construct.