Industry committee  As I said, I haven't seen the evaluation from the Grain Growers of Canada, unfortunately, but to suggest that this could actually have an impact on food prices would be premature at this point. We haven't done the evaluation. However, I would consider that it may actually be the same argument given for the carbon tax, for example, where it's very difficult to really narrow down that one factor and how that one factor can impact.

Industry committee  I would say that it is a step in the right direction, for sure. Here's what I think is going on here. On the one side, you have grocers who I think firmly believe that what they are doing is right and legal, because a lot of people know that these things have been going on for a very long time.

Industry committee  I think that's what Mr. Péladeau is talking about, that leadership that could bring grocers to realize that they are not in Kansas anymore.

Industry committee  I would say yes. I believe that the food distribution landscape in Canada would be very different today if that had happened, I would say, before 1998, when Provigo was acquired by Loblaws; and in 2005, I believe, when A&P; was acquired by Metro; and in 2013 when Sobeys acquired Safeway.

Industry committee  I could provide you with some detailed recommendations, but not at this time.

Industry committee  I can, after the—

Industry committee  No, I cannot. I've asked the same question of Mr. Singh. I don't think there should be a definition. We should remind ourselves as to why companies exist in the first place—to make profits. I think what really needs to be underscored here is our ability to foster innovation and to support competition, but also to regulate.

Industry committee  Address interprovincial barriers as soon as possible. We need to deal with that. Talk to any agri-food company, including in your own riding, I suppose, in the Fraser Valley. It is easier to do business with the United States than with other provinces. That's a really big problem.

Industry committee  That's a great question. I recall seeing the government in Quebec provide a financial incentive to Kraft Heinz to build a ketchup plant in Montreal. Why not do that with Canadian companies? You see, in the last decade or so in America, they've been able to build over 4,000 greenfield food processing plants.

Industry committee  In Kingston, Ontario, we allowed China to build Canada Royal Milk to manufacture baby formula. That is a sign that we're not doing a good enough job to vertically integrate in this country. We're allowing other countries to invest in our own country to do the work we're supposed to be doing.

Industry committee  It's more about regulations. I think some things could be revised in terms of leniency, for example, with approvals. Lots of policy-driven obstacles actually get in the way. I can think of how to have access to land, for example, or where to build, working with cities, access to water and treatment of water.

Industry committee  Absolutely. I'll use as an example the Ontario Food Terminal, which I think is a great case study for Canada. It's been around for many, many years and has allowed new businesses to be created. It has also allowed food service and food retailers to connect with wholesalers and with farmers as well.

Industry committee  As I said to Mr. Williams in response to a question, it's very difficult to create a coefficient that accurately measures the impact of this policy on retail prices. The situation is different on the industrial and wholesale side, where there is currently quite a significant price differential between the United States and Canada.

Industry committee  That's a very good question. Thank you. Essentially, as Mr. Williams mentioned, I do consider processing the forgotten job of the entire food industry. I've always considered processing as the roots of the tree. We all see the tree, the branches and the leaves, but we never see the roots, and the roots will hold the tree up and straight.

Industry committee  That's a great question, Mr. Masse. I'm not familiar with the right to repair voluntary code. I don't know whether all players were asked to be part of it. For the code of conduct in the grocery business, that is a key element to a success: We need all five to participate. We all know Walmart and Costco are not signing on, so far.