The industry needs to change if it is going to be able to recover its competitive edge in the global market. Contributing economic factors to why Canada is now less competitive include the strong Canadian dollar, devaluing of weaner and finisher pigs, and inefficient Canadian packers. However, we may be coming up to a time of increased opportunity for producers due to high cull slaughter, farm closures and herd reductions reducing supply, and hopefully a drop in grain prices. The US will still have an advantage over Canada, so the Canadian industry needs to work together to improve our competiveness. Ways to strengthen the industry include becoming better at risk management, reducing costs, urging the government to reduce barriers and support the industry, and increase the efficiency of packers. The industry needs to change to respond to modern day challenges, but once it does so there is a lot of opportunity for the future.