Mr. Speaker, if my hon. colleague listened carefully to what I was saying earlier, he will realize that we have many existing programs to serve farmers' immediate needs. As for the future, and this is important as well, there are the upcoming negotiations with the World Trade Organization.
As for the present crisis and farmers' reduced incomes, we all listening to communities from all provinces. Their spokespersons are appearing before the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food and together we are trying to find the best solutions possible.
At the same time, we are preparing Canada's position for the upcoming negotiations with the WTO. An important fact that I did not raise earlier, but one which I would like to mention to my hon. colleague, is that the present state of the Canadian dollar allows us to increase our exports.
I come from Brome—Missisquoi, a riding bordering on Vermont. Because the Canadian dollar is weaker than the American dollar, farmers in my riding can cross the border, sell more on the American side, as well as diversify our farm economy.
These are positive measures that farmers themselves are taking, which result in a favourable balance of trade.