Science and Research committee  Canada is already one of the highest-cost producers there is of agricultural commodities. We're furthest from the destination markets. There's lots of red tape. My family actually got started farming in 1980, when interest rates were high. The only way the farm managed to be where it is today is that everybody worked like dogs for a long period of time and made a bunch of sacrifices.

Science and Research committee  I strongly do not. We feel like we've been left out. On your previous questions there, we haven't had any consultation at all. If you're actually for farmers, you would think that the bare courtesy would be to do at least some consultation to see what the effects are. We feel that we haven't been fairly represented in Ottawa for quite some time, and it seems to be getting worse, not better.

Science and Research committee  I'd say that our biggest concern out of all of this is just the complete lack of due process. There was no scientific data produced to support this and no consultation with practitioners. Ultimately, there won't be any net benefit to the world. Canada's nitrogen use efficiency is 72%, which is higher than the global average.

Science and Research committee  They did not.

Science and Research committee  Not at all, unfortunately.

Science and Research committee  Unfortunately, once again, I do not.

Science and Research committee  I'll reference a report that Meyers Norris Penny did for Fertilizer Canada. The report is titled, “Implications of a Total Emissions Reduction Target on Fertilizer”. This is based on a 20% and not a 30% reduction. Yields, of course, will go down through time as soil reserves of nutrients get depleted.

Science and Research committee  That's correct. There would be less food, so supply goes down, demand goes up and costs go up substantially. Canada is a large exporter of these crops, so world markets would see a considerable disruption.

Science and Research committee  The short answer is significantly negatively. The problem with farming is that all the money is in the last few bushels and acres. Of course, these numbers change from year to year depending on input prices and crop prices, but the first 60%, 70% or 80% goes straight to creditors.

Science and Research committee  Good afternoon. My name is Carl Stewart, and thank you very much for this invitation. I farm wheat, canola, soybeans and peas in Manitoba. I'm also a director for the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association. We represent grassroots wheat farmers. Our goal is to promote policies that strengthen the sector, help Canada be a world leader in wheat production and ultimately benefit consumers with healthy and affordable food staples.