International Trade committee  Certainly, we understand that version three of Growing Forward is currently under discussion. There is some discussion of a similar program, I believe, to include the seafood industry. We've kind of been left out of some of those programs in the past, and we would really encourage all parties to support that type of initiative.

International Trade committee  That trend has helped us a lot. Sales to China, from P.E.I.'s perspective, doubled every year over the last five years, so this has been significant in putting the supply and demand balance more in place. Korea has been a very attractive market also, in terms of wanting quality product.

International Trade committee  Our ratio has typically been 80% processed versus 20% live product. That's maybe changing a little bit in the last few years because more live storage is being added. That's certainly infrastructure that we need, to make our plants more efficient and also to give us more opportunities.

International Trade committee  I don't have the exact statistics with me today. However, the majority of the increase over the last five years has been in China.

International Trade committee  Yes, but a lot of what needs to be done in Japan is some more education in terms of what we have to offer as a product. The quality of processed products has increased dramatically over the last few years, and one of the positives is that there is basically zero mortality. That is very attractive to the restaurant, tourism, and other businesses, because it is a very high-value product, and there can be losses through the live shipments.

International Trade committee  Yes. Certainly, we don't want to go back to where we were in 2012 where our supply far exceeded demand, and so there has been a lot of hard work in developing those new markets. I think we want to be very cautious not to all of a sudden go for being dependent on two markets to being dependent on a couple of markets in another part of the world.

International Trade committee  I was just going to add that I think we all realize there needs to be a multi-pronged approach. We've historically been dependent on one or two pretty key markets, and we want to diversify, but not neglect our domestic market either.

International Trade committee  Good morning to you, Mr. Chairman, and members of the international trade committee. My name is Ian MacPherson and I'm the executive director of the Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Association. Today I'm joined by our association president, Mr. Craig Avery, who has over 40 years of experience in the commercial lobster fishery.

Human Resources committee  The catches are down a little bit. The water is still cold, but the quality of the lobster is excellent, so that's a good sign. We're going to see a good price, so that's encouraging too.

Human Resources committee  Well, I think there are some old paradigms out there, and I don't think they exist in a lot of cases anymore. Some of those old paradigms are that people enjoy EI and that it is a ticket to go and do exactly what you want and live a grand lifestyle. Certainly anyone I come in contact with in our fishing community would love to be fishing most of the year.

Human Resources committee  I want to go back to the importance of seasonal economies to Canada. One of the things I think a lot of Canadians don't realize is that, for example, on Prince Edward Island, in the summer months, we have one of the highest employment rates in the country. There are a lot of significant, viable jobs and businesses there.

Human Resources committee  I think I should clarify that a little more fully. I think what would be more appropriate is that we feel this is an appropriate time to do a review of that particular system and to assess its effectiveness. From our particular standpoint with our membership, we haven't a lot of cases that have gone to the tribunal, so I really can't comment on that specifically.

Human Resources committee  I'm not certain of that, so I wouldn't want to have that as a position.

Human Resources committee  At Transport Canada.

Human Resources committee  Thanks very much, Mr. Chairman. Do you have in your possession our presentation? That was our opening remarks.