Thank you, Chair.
Thank you all for coming here. I would note very quickly that you said we're not giving the opportunity for people to speak. We invite groups, of course, to speak. If we asked all the farmers to come, there would be 15,000 farmers, I suppose, but I think they're probably busy at this time of year. You represent one group, and there are others who represent other groups. I think we're doing a pretty good job, and I think all committee members would agree with that.
I want to start with Mrs. Neal.
Thank you for doing what you did in Africa. I know you have a real heart for Africa. Thank you also for the work that your advocacy group does as grandmothers. I'm not a grandmother, as Mr. Eyking and I both know, but my wife is, and we have 35 grandchildren. I know your heart for grandchildren.
I've been to Africa five times and I've visited six countries. I have seen the devastation and I have seen the poverty. I've been to the townships in South Africa just recently. I just came back from there. I've seen all parts of it, including South Sudan, one of the poorest countries in the world.
I don't have much time. I just wanted to mention quickly that part of the job that we all do here—and I've had the great fortune of representing my riding for 10 years—is just an incredible learning experience. I've served on a number of committees, and a number of those committees dealt with the very issues that you're talking about. I think I was on the foreign affairs committee when the need for drugs for AIDS was the pressing issue.
I think it's good to note that the Canadian government has made provisions—and I think you would agree with that, too—for AIDS drugs. I know that your concern is for future drugs, but I trust our government. I trust our people. I trust that when that issue arises—and we've had examples of that in the past—we will continue to meet that need.
Finally, I would add that to suggest anybody here doesn't have that same compassion for the poor and downtrodden is just plain wrong. We might have a different idea as to where we're going, but that's why we're here. That's why we're listening to your presentation.
I'll give you a chance to respond, because it's not fair to just make a comment. I'm trying to get right across the whole line here.
The other thing I really want to lay out, which I think has really become evident, is that the people you are talking about, the corporations, for the most part are smaller farmers. We have heard from them—and I'm not saying that has been the only testimony, but specifically here in this province—that there is a real desire for this agreement to take place.
People that you and I both know in the rural areas—and you probably know them a lot better—see this as a huge advantage for farmers and for workers. They talked about the increase in employment that would take place. What do you say to those people?
I guess I'd ask the same to you too, Mr. Boehm. These are the people who are telling us—