Mr. Chair, the farmers I am referring to feel that they are being asked to compete with their hands tied behind their backs on a completely unlevel playing field. Products are allowed into Canada that have pesticides harmful to handlers. Funding for CFIA has been reduced so there are fewer inspectors inspecting the products. It is farmers themselves who believe that there is no level playing field, and the minister appears to be dismissing that.
There are farmers who have been asking for help based on a very positive pilot project undertaken by the Liberals to see whether the set-asides of farmland for habitat and protecting of biodiversity could contribute to the common good. The answer was yes. Farmers have been asking for support for this program.
Is the minister aware of it at all? If so, why has the government done absolutely nothing to support these farmers?