Mr. Speaker, the agri-food sector is presently faced with an upheaval the like of which we have not seen in thirty years. During the States-General of the rural world and the Trois-Rivières Summit, Quebec took the lead and agreed on principles which will govern the agriculture of tomorrow. The challenges of globalization are enormous and Quebec committed itself to developing a competitive agricultural sector which would build on the social and economic strengths of the regions.
The future depends on the decentralization of powers towards regional decision-making units better in touch with reality. Unfortunately, shared jurisdiction in the area of agriculture and
very different interests in the main agricultural areas of Canada, is not really helping the initiatives of Quebec farmers.
In this context, Quebec sovereignty is the necessary tool which will allow Quebec farmers to stay in the game.