I call this meeting to order. Welcome to the table today.
We have the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. Welcome, Minister. We're always glad to have you here to talk about the issues of the day, and of course the main estimates, which we're dealing with right now.
Joining the minister we have Deputy Minister Yaprak Baltacioglu. Welcome, Deputy Minister. I understand that you're fairly new in the job but no stranger to the Department of Agriculture. We're really pleased that you have taken this new position with the Department of Agriculture.
We're also joined by Pierre Corriveau, who is the assistant deputy minister, and from the CFIA, François Guimont and Gordon White. Welcome, gentlemen.
With that, Minister, I will turn it over to you so that you can make your opening remarks.