Thanks very much, Chairman.
My question is for the agricultural and farming representatives on the panel today.
I have some great farms in my riding. I represent the beautiful Carleton countryside, south and west of Ottawa. I have some great dairy, cash crop and horticultural operations. One of them is Carleton Mushrooms, which is one of the biggest mushroom producers in Ontario, if not in Canada. It employs about 50 people and produces an incredible product.
The farm groups have come up with a request for $2.6 billion of rescue assistance to get through the COVID lockdown. Obviously our food supply is essential to our survival. Without agriculture, there is no human life.
I'd like to ask any of the farm representatives on the panel today: How did you come up with $2.6 billion? Why will that number allow our farmers to get through the COVID lockdown and come out the other side strong enough to continue supplying our population with nutritious and delicious food?