Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I want to thank my colleagues from all the parties for being here today to participate in this emergency meeting to request a study of a crisis that has been going on for some time. I'm talking about the canola crisis, which has been hitting Canadian canola producers hard since China's decision to block canola imports.
On March 21, our committee requested that a study be launched to discuss the crisis. Unfortunately, the committee members then refused to undertake a study on the crisis currently affecting us.
I'll read the motion before us:
That the Committee invite the following witnesses to appear concerning China’s recent halting of Canadian canola, wheat and pea sales to the Chinese market:
a. The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food;
b. The Minister of International Trade Diversification;
c. The Minister of Foreign Affairs;
d. Officials from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency; and
e. Industry Representatives;
that all witnesses appear no later than Friday, March 29, 2019.
Since today is March 29, this motion will be amended in order to change the date, if everyone agrees. We'll introduce an amendment to this motion later.
For the time being, this is the motion before us. If I may, I can speak about this motion.