Thank you, Mr. Wiens.
Mr. Chair and esteemed members of the committee, thank you.
I want to begin by acknowledging the support given by all parties to protect Canada's supply management system for many years.
As you know, concessions have been made. Mr. Wiens alluded to this. Canada's milk producers also thank you for the compensation that has been paid to producers.
However, there is no doubt that an agricultural model of concessions accompanied by compensation is not viable for us as entrepreneurs. It is in this sense that we must respect supply management.
We want to mention one thing: in addition to the 3.9% of the market that was conceded to the Americans, other important rules were requested, including a ban on Canada exporting any dairy products to all world markets. It's unique for an agreement between three countries to prohibit one of its signatories from exporting anywhere on the planet. At the moment, we're not hearing about a potential reopening of the market for three main products—skimmed milk powder, protein concentrates and infant formula—but, if there is a reopening and if Canada expresses an interest in such a reopening, it's obvious that the sector will have to take this very important element into account.
With that, thank you again. Bill C‑282 is still on the drawing board in the Senate committee.
Mr. Wiens and I are available to answer any questions you may have about this ongoing matter.