Thank you, Chair.
Thank you to our witnesses for being here today.
Coming from a produce background myself, I know people in the industry. I've worked with them for years, and they're some of the most resilient people I've met. They're also some of the biggest risk-takers you will ever meet in this country. If we think about it, every person on this planet consumes fruit and vegetables. That's the reality. That's how important this industry is to the people of Canada, to the people of the world whom we feed, and that's why it's so important we make sure our farmers can stay in business. This is another tool they can have in their tool box.
We've heard examples and I've seen examples in industry, and we've heard tonight that not every farmer will claim bankruptcy. They may just walk away, and that also impacts other farmers, because growers tend to work together with other growers, with wholesalers. We sell to folks who resell.
Dr. Lee, I wonder if you could let us know what you've been hearing from the growers out there. Is this bill needed? We've heard a little bit. How will this legislation promote certainty for our farmers in the fruit and vegetable sector here in Canada?