Mr. Chairman, thank you very much.
Let me also welcome our panel. I found this very interesting. All somebody like me, growing up in downtown Toronto, cares about is whether I can go to my store and buy something that is quality and that looks fresh. We grow up in total ignorance, I guess, of what exactly goes on behind the scenes.
Some years ago, the Cattlemen's Association, when we were going through the BSE issues—I think it was our good friend Peter Goldring who brought them by—stopped in my riding. We had a barbecue, and hundreds of people showed up. They wanted to learn, they wanted to know, they wanted to understand what this issue was all about. The more I hear, the more I am able to speak to my constituents and understand this issue.
First of all, let me say, Ted, you do a terrific job on their behalf. If I'm sitting on the other side, listening to your presentation...you know, you're full of enthusiasm. Keep up the good work.
I've heard a combination of things today, and I don't know where to start, Mr. Chairman. I think I'm going to go with the last one.
You talked about WTO action. That's a time situation. It's an expensive process. We just went through the softwood lumber issue: years and time and moneys. I would like to know if you could suggest whether there's any way of speeding this up, any way we can, not circumvent, but.... Financing, of course, has to be one issue as well, I guess. As I remember, the softwood lumber people came before this same committee years ago and said, “We're there; we just need some more funds to see it through.” Maybe you can suggest ways we can address the issue of the WTO.
Concerning the list, I'm looking forward to seeing it, if we can, John. Why? Because it's a matter of votes for those Congressmen and Senators down there as well. Maybe the Americans don't know the entire story. Maybe we can be a little more proactive. Sometimes, yes, we can go and see the Congressmen and the Senators, but maybe we should readjust our strategy to go down to the home front and talk with the Governors, for example, or state representatives, etc., and make them aware of it. This is a suggestion; I don't know.
I'd like to get a little bit more into the question of support. When I chaired this committee some years ago, we talked about PEMD. It was a program years ago. In my report, I recommended that we look at possibly bringing that program back, because I'm hearing, Jurgen, what kind of dollars you talk about, and when you look at the industry as a whole, it's sheer nonsense.
Ted, you talked about the support that exists, the infrastructure we don't have that other countries have. I ask, why? We have embassies, we have infrastructure.
I'd like you to comment on other markets. Are we on the right track with the European free trade agreement? You talked about diversifying. Can you add something to that?
I'd like you to comment on whether we are going in the right direction by signing free trade agreements like the one with Colombia, for example. It's not that I'm saying we should get away from a strong market like the U.S. one; on the contrary. But are we on the right track? Should we pursue bilateral agreements?
If I may quote, somebody said we “need a stronger commitment”. Can you be more specific when you say “stronger commitment”? Does that mean infrastructure, as Ted suggested? Does it mean more money from...? You referred to the Canada export corporation.
By the way, I'd like you to comment on that organization. Are they cooperative? Do you have access to it? Or is it difficult to get support from the Canadian export corporation or Export Development Bank? In what other ways is the federal government supporting your initiatives? And if there aren't any ways, what other suggestions would you have specifically for what the government can do, whether it's in money, infrastructure, or whatever else?
I think I've asked enough questions.