Thank you, and thank you very much to the committee for letting me be here today to ask some questions. Being from southern Alberta, I of course want to focus in on the homegrown sugar beet, sugar, and refining.
Sandra, I want to start with your statement that Canada has already led the way in opening its sugar market with a zero tariff on all imports of raw sugar from developing economies like Colombia and a $30-per-tonne tariff--about 8%--on refined sugar. In comparison, the U.S. and Mexico tariffs are 150%, so we've already opened our doors quite wide to the importation of both raw and refined sugar.
Mr. Lafrance, give me and the committee an idea of the scope of this industry in southern Alberta. I understand it's the only homegrown, home-refined sugar left in Canada. Is that right?