Last week, I visited several regions in Quebec to discuss another bill. I was very surprised when farm women told us that it was becoming increasingly difficult to run a regional farm, given high costs and declining farm revenues, not to mention that the situation is compounded by the rural exodus of young people. The future of farming is threatened. Young people cannot obtain the required financing to take on responsibility for a farm. Another problem mentioned was the difficulty farm women have obtaining EI benefits.
The concerns addressed in your submission are not new to the committee. We are seeing tangible signs of this very serious problem. You recommend in your submission that the government bring in several measures which you feel would not require a major effort, but rather some political will on the government's part.
I find it interesting that you mention Bill C-308 at the very end of your presentation. My colleague tabled this bill in the House of Commons this past February. You would like all members to throw their support behind this parliamentary initiative given that it addresses a genuine problem. Do you want the focus to be on some of the priorities listed in the six recommendations set out in the bill, which is currently making its way through the parliamentary process, or on everything that could improve the economic situation of farm women, especially since the existing system puts them at a disadvantage?