The trouble is, Mr. Speaker, that proposal just will not work, and the industry has told that to the government.
The facts are that Canadian fruit and vegetable sellers have had long-standing protection under United States law. They no longer have that protection, as of October 1. As a result, Canadian jobs, Canadian farmers, and parts of our supply chain, are at serious risk.
Industry has made it clear: it needs a Canadian-made perishable commodities act, and that is the only option to protect produce suppliers. Why not implement that viable option?