Agriculture committee  I'm sorry; I thought that was for Mr. Stock. We have no fear of that. I'll be very quick. Remember, the primary purpose of the dispute resolution process is that we want people to talk to each other first. That's a primary objective. At a certain point, the associations have a role to play, but not in bringing forward individual complaints.

Agriculture committee  If you had asked me that question a few years ago, I would've had a couple of questions, for sure. I represent Canada's independent grocers, not the retail chains, so we've had issues where we don't always agree with them. I've been part of this process, part of the steering committee and part of the grocery code board.

Agriculture committee  The problems that occur between big suppliers and big retailers will sometimes have a trickle-down effect or, as it's called in other countries, waterbed effect. That's what has tended to happen to the smaller independents. Everything trickles down, so if demands are made on suppliers, that will have an impact on independent grocers, but at other times, I have to tell you—I'm being honest here—suppliers are not dressed in white robes with halos over their heads.

Agriculture committee  I've been listening to the committee's questioning, not just this week but last week, and a lot of times when I hear the questions, I just want to say to the whole committee that, so many times, the things that are being said about the retailers, you could say about how the independent grocers feel when they're dealing with large suppliers.

Agriculture committee  Thank you for the question. Also, I want to tell you that we very much appreciate the fact that you took time to meet with Atlantic Grocery Distributors. I got very positive feedback from your meeting with them, and I would be remiss if I didn't extend our appreciation for your taking the time to talk to them, so thank you for that.

Agriculture committee  Again, there are so many parts of Canada—rural and remote communities—where we're the only grocery store in that community, so the ability of that independent grocer to survive is very much linked to food security for those communities. Atlantic Grocery Distributors is a good example.

Agriculture committee  No, I think we have to have the dispute resolution process finalized. I'm going to choose my words carefully because I am a member, as Diane is, of the grocery code interim board. I'll tell you, on behalf of our members, that we're comfortable with the direction we're moving in.

Agriculture committee  It's nice to see you again, Mr. Chair. I would like to thank the committee for the invitation to appear before you today to provide the perspective of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers on the current status of our grocery code. CFIG was the first association in Canada to call for a grocery code of conduct.

Agriculture committee  The only thing I want to add is that I want to impress upon everyone that because this doesn't fall under one single government's jurisdiction, what we're looking at when we talk about regulation is the possibility of having a fragmented regulatory checkerboard system in Canada if all provinces don't sign on.

Agriculture committee  One thing I say to my members who, to be honest, have asked if this code will really make a difference in keeping us on that playing field.... I don't like to use the term “level playing field”, to be honest with you, because in the industry, that horse has galloped out of the barn.

Agriculture committee  It will, very much so. It will just compound the challenges we're already facing. I just want to emphasize that in addition to the cost—the CPMA has told us the cost would increase by 30%—I think the real paramount concern should be that these products won't be getting to these rural and remote communities.

Agriculture committee  It should be a clear message to everyone about how much we need a code. What it also tells us, and what it will tell other stakeholders, is that I know there will be some people who are presently supporting the code who will not support being included in the code while their retail competitors are not.

Agriculture committee  Is that question for me?

Agriculture committee  I'm sorry.

Agriculture committee  It absolutely is. It's one of the issues. I will add that we've addressed it in the code, but I'll just explain how that works. Michael Graydon from FHCP can speak to this too. Retailers and their suppliers—that includes all retailers, not just the chains but also the independents—engage in what's called “forecasting”.