Hello, everyone.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108, the study of debt in the agriculture sector and its effects, I want to welcome all our witnesses.
First, we have Mr. Alan Ker, professor and director of the Institute for the Advanced Study of Food and Agricultural Policy at the University of Guelph, and president of the Canadian Agricultural Economics Study.
We have Mr. Alfons Weersink. Mr. Weersink is a professor in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Guelph.
Also, last but not least, and fresh from a trip south of the border, we have Mr. Ron Bonnett, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture.
Welcome to all of you.
Welcome to all of our members who are also with us. I think we're all the original or the genuine members of the committee.
We will start with an opening statement from Mr. Ker. You have up to 10 minutes.