International Trade committee  I would just say that it would really depend on the kind of commodity, where canola...it's all bulked up together. I'd also suggest that traceability comes with a significant cost. As we look at rising food prices, at the cost of living and inflation, we have to be really careful that we don't inadvertently add extra cost on food production at this time.

International Trade committee  I can certainly say that in Canada, even, we're coming out of the worst drought in 50 years in western Canada. We saw production fall from about 20 million tonnes to about 12.5 million tonnes. I think the biggest thing with oilseeds around the world this year will be whether or not the supply can meet the demand.

International Trade committee  There are concerns around the perishability, just given that produce has such a short shelf life, and then the cost of refrigerating containers might make it cost prohibitive, but with root vegetables and things, it's probably an opportunity perhaps. That would be my take.

International Trade committee  I can start, and I'll ask Janelle to weigh in at a more detailed level. Farmers don't necessarily decide where their products end up. It's a bulk handling system. About 20 million tonnes get rolled up. When there isn't trade volatility, their prices tend to be higher, and they don't ever have issues selling their products domestically, and then they get shipped out.

International Trade committee  I'll start and then pass it over to Janelle. The biggest markets that we're looking at within the Indo-Pacific region are Thailand and Vietnam, as well as Malaysia. One of the reasons that we look at it as such an opportunity is it is not only an economic opportunity, but also a risk management tool.

International Trade committee  To echo that, but in closing, I'd say it's about being proactive. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If we can get away from trade irritants before they become something, and have an expert on the ground who can walk local regulators through why it's not a concern and how Canada has already addressed an issue, it will go a long way.

International Trade committee  It's non-tariff trade barriers, one hundred per cent. Canola has a 90% export crop valued at $13.7 billion. It's not so much tariffs anymore; it's non-tariff trade barriers, the way they treat biotechnology, a lack of science-based equivalency and a lack of understanding phytosanitary issues and when and where they should be applied.

International Trade committee  Thank you for the opportunity for the Canadian Canola Growers Association to appear on your study on trade opportunities for Canadian businesses in the Indo-Pacific. I'm joined virtually today by my colleague, Janelle Whitley, senior manager, trade and marketing policy. CCG represents Canada's 43,000 canola farmers on issues that impact their farm's success.

Agriculture committee  Sure, Mike. In response to biofuels, it's a big opportunity for Canadian farmers, but I want to predicate that the announcements we've heard from Federated Co-operatives and others is that there are not yet shovels in the ground. They are predicated on getting the clean fuel regulations correct, which will be at CGII, Canada Gazette II, any time now.

Agriculture committee  Thanks for the question. We don't know the exact number, but it would be quite high, Mr. Drouin and Mr. Chair, given that canola is one of the most expensive crops to grow. It does require a significant investment from farmers, both for planting equipment and for the costs of seed and input, so the amount of precision agriculture as an option for canola farmers would be very high, just given the economic intensity that is required to grow the crop.

Agriculture committee  I will just say that there's no silver bullet. The key things are crop protection and the products. Herbicides and pesticides actually have an environmental benefit, because using a small amount of herbicide allows for no till. The latest and greatest seed innovation may be canola that's able to produce some of its own nitrogen, use less water or stand up to diseases.

Agriculture committee  Go ahead, Mike.

Transport committee  I believe that would probably be better for Mr. Lemaire. The labour issues we alluded to were more around the union dynamics with the rail, but I think Ron spoke more to labour issues and maybe the foreign worker side. I can speak to there just generally being a problem filling positions across the economy, certainly as we return from COVID, but I might defer to Mr.

Transport committee  Guy, do you want to answer that?

Transport committee  We can certainly provide data. The data for imports and exports of canola is publicly available. It's all done through harmonized sales codes. We have all of that. The data we really track—which Steve does—is on the performance of the railways. We have grain-shipping data and reports that Steve can walk you through, which we can certainly share with the committee.