Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you, witnesses, for sharing your experiences and taking time out of your self-employed busy life to offer some words of wisdom about the pleasure of being self-employed and the challenges you face.
I've been married just over 25 years. We had a grocery store and a gas station. I remember my wife worked right up to her delivery date, opened the store, went to the hospital, and had a baby. These are the things people do when they're self-employed. I respect the fact that it's something our country has been founded on—the values of strong families. On the commitment our government has, I'm glad to see we're delivering.
Your testimony was about leveling the playing field, equity, and fairness. Small business is the economic engine that drives the economy. I represent a beautiful part of British Columbia in the Okanagan Valley, and we have a lot of small-business farmers in the agriculture industry. At least 70% work off-farm to keep the home fires burning.
I'd like to wish your Rider team good luck this weekend, an occasion for Rider pride.
As to farmers, do you have any idea from your experience with the farming community whether this legislation will help keep farmers and families on the farm?