Agriculture committee  I don't have any additional information. I know that it has been something that's been brought forward to the department, and the department is working on a response. However, in terms of the timing of that, I don't have any other specifics to share.

Agriculture committee  That is certainly part of the AgriScience program, which has two components: the cluster program and the project program. We have already started discussions with the various sectors currently participating in the cluster component of the program, because we know that it takes a long time to consider changes to be made in the future.

Agriculture committee  Yes. The idea is to address the problems and concerns of each sector and to work together to determine the type of clusters we need to have in the future.

Agriculture committee  We've already had a number of discussions with stakeholders, as well as with the provinces and territories, and there are currently four priorities we can discuss. The first one is markets, whether diversifying international markets or markets here in Canada. The second one is the competitiveness of the sector.

Agriculture committee  In terms of the complete science and innovation landscape within the country, a big portion of what we do within the AAFC, as the federal government, is through our current sustainable CAP, but that's only part of the picture. It's true that in certain areas in terms of advancements for science and innovation, we haven't been, as a country, as advanced as we need to be.

Agriculture committee  On the last comment, I know that you had the opportunity a number of weeks ago to speak with the deputy and others about some of those changes and cuts that were happening in terms of requirements under CER. I would say that over time, the types of things that are measured—the metrics—also change.

Agriculture committee  I wouldn't be in a position to speak specifically to those activities.

Agriculture committee  It could be something that's tabled.

Agriculture committee  Thank you for the question. There are maybe a few things to consider in this context. Recently, over maybe the last six months to a year, some changes have been made in terms of succession planning and capital gains that I think have been quite favourable for the farming sector.

Agriculture committee  Thank you for the question. It is certainly something that we're looking at. More than half of the federal-only portion of the current framework goes towards science and innovation. The sector is very interested in having a continuation of that kind of work, recognizing that things continue to evolve and change and there might need to be more consideration put into that space.

Agriculture committee  There have been some initial conversations, the details of which I wouldn't be familiar with for each one. However, certainly any time there is, from the Government of Canada's position, a disposition of property, there's a very lengthy consultation and discussion process and a very specific order of things that need to happen over a period of time.

Agriculture committee  Thank you for the question. I can start on an answer, then see if my colleague wants to jump in. I think there is an understanding that—based on the diversity of sizes and operations across the country—realities are very different for different types and sizes of farms and operations.

Agriculture committee  If I might, Mr. Chair, I'll just add as well—

Agriculture committee  I would say that the witnesses you have before you today wouldn't necessarily be the ones who would have the specific information related to what the potential costs might be, but it is something that we could look into and follow up with the committee on.

Agriculture committee  As to whether or not provincial-territorial ministers would raise it, I wouldn't be able to anticipate that. What I can say is that, at the officials level, we have had discussions to explain what has happened in terms of the site closures. There is ongoing dialogue and conversations, particularly in the provinces where there are closures, to ensure that there's alignment.