Judging by what I am seeing, I should have gone to Ottawa in person to enjoy some cookies. Happy birthday.

Mr. Chair, members of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today as the acting executive director of the Association des producteurs de fraises et de framboises du Québec.

The Association represents close to 350 businesses of all sizes in every region of the province. In 2021, the value of the sector was estimated at more than $85 million.

Quebec is the leading producer of strawberries in the country and the third-largest producer of raspberries. Horticulture, and more specifically the strawberry and raspberry industry in Quebec, is a key component of our farming economy and our cultural heritage, even our identity. Strawberries are visceral in Quebec. Our farmers are passionate about and dedicated to providing exceptional quality fruit to our citizens and even beyond our borders, with some now exporting to the United States.

However, despite efforts, passion and innovation, our industry is facing many challenges that are threatening its long-term sustainability. Relying on the resilience of the farmers has gone on long enough.

First, I would like to note the importance of supporting our businesses in the face of increasing climate challenges. Extreme weather variations, sudden temperature changes and unpredictable weather phenomena have had a major impact on our crops. The 2023 season is going to leave a scar: frost, drought and excessive rain, all that in one year. Last season has been described as a disaster many times, and it was. We are therefore calling for meaningful measures to help farmers adapt to these changing conditions by improving risk management programs.

Crop insurance is a perfect example. In 2023, two out of three farmers did not sign up for crop insurance. In July, we applied for the AgriRecovery process. Here we are on February 27, and, unfortunately, I have yet to see the result of any analysis of our file. Exceptional situations call for exceptional means, but it is clear that there is no safety net.

My colleagues from the Quebec Produce Growers Association, whom you received on February 15, spoke to you about the need for an “agri-disaster” program. Allow me to reiterate the need for such a program, whatever it may be called. Allow me also to propose adding “agri‑complicated”, as we call it in the business, “agri‑adaptability” and “agri‑fast”. Two years to process an AgriStability file is too long, especially when there is a note at the bottom of the bill that says “payable within 30 days”.

There is talk about climate change adaptation and that adaptation will be done on several fronts, including through financial support for adopting technologies or new growing methods. Take soilless crops, for example, which have become standard for our European counterparts. Investments in our farming infrastructure are needed to secure our food supply. Research development into varieties that are resistant to extreme climate conditions is another component of this adaptation.

Second, I want to address the critical issue of farm labour. Our industry relies heavily on seasonal work, and the recruitment of skilled, reliable labour is a constant struggle. Labour accounts for 52% of our production costs and 80% of labourers are foreign workers. Unfortunately, automation is still progressing too slowly to make up for the labour shortage, hence the need to modernize programs and recognize the value associated with the support and mentoring services offered by our farmers.

I also want to shed light on the importance of promoting environmental sustainability in our industry. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of environmental issues and farmers are meeting their expectations by adopting sustainable farming practices. However, we need to be consistent with our societal choices, by having the power and will to apply the principle of reciprocity with respect to standards. By standards I also mean social standards.

This brings me to the biggest challenge we are facing right now: the business environment. Recrimination in the old country against farmers is being echoed here since the situation is the same, unfortunately. Before legislating more on the environment, let's make sure that our businesses can evolve in a business environment that is suitable and sustainable.

Reconciling the grocery prices that consumers want to pay with the standards being imposed on our farmers is becoming harder to do and will soon bring our industry to a breaking point. There is tremendous pressure on farmers, who also have to deal with rising input costs and rising interest rates. Profit margins have dropped considerably for farmers as everything goes up. This breaking point will obviously have an adverse effect on our hopes for food security.

In closing, to ensure the future prosperity of the horticulture sector, we must meet today's challenges with determination and a vision. I urge you, as members of the committee, to support our efforts to strengthen our horticulture industry and secure a prosperous future for our strawberry and raspberry farmers in Quebec. In fact, let's change our vocabulary and replace the word “support” with the word “investment”. This is not just about supporting our industry, but also about investing in something fundamental, in other words, feeding ourselves.

Thank you for your attention.