Good afternoon. I want to thank the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance for receiving us this afternoon.
The union is still very much concerned by the issue of government intervention in the agricultural sector. It is therefore with renewed pleasure that I am tabling this brief today. In our view, the UPA's requests presented in this document come under the responsibilities attributable to the federal government with regard to maintaining prosperity in the agricultural sector of Quebec and Canada. Some of these obligations moreover fall to the Department of Finance Canada.
We therefore seek its financial support, but also its direct intervention to solve, quickly and effectively, the major problems facing producers across the country. As will be discussed in this brief, we ask the Department of Finance Canada to intervene in the following matters: among other things, the net income crisis in agriculture—you have tables that show this—incomes particularly in the pork and grain sectors, international trade, and the entire issue of taxation of agriculture and forestry, where we would like to see improvements that would ensure that agricultural businesses are less penalized, to ensure that they are maintained with the prospects we currently have.
I know that some of you know of the UPA. However, I'd like to remind you that we represent the some 43,000 Quebec farmers who work on 31 farms. Need it be recalled that agriculture in Quebec is the biggest primary sector activity, from an economic and employment standpoint. It essentially contributes to support for economic activity in a number of regions—I wouldn't say they're remote regions, but regions that are farther away from the major centres—and agricultural activity there means that those regions can support themselves.
The Government of Canada should therefore provide significant regulatory and budgetary support in order to maintain this type of agriculture and forestry operation in the country. In Canada, we work in human scale agricultural production structures. We want them to remain competitive and to meet consumers' expectations.
I am here today with Mr. Serge Lebeau, Senior International Trade Manager. Mr. Lebeau will make the summary presentation—a brief summary—of the brief that has been submitted to you. I will be available to answer questions later.
Thank you.