Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I would like to thank the witnesses for joining us today
Before I ask my question, I would like to point out something important, for the benefit of the entire committee. It was said earlier that the minister's chief of staff seemed unfit to occupy her position. However, it is important for people to understand that there is a process in place to protect those who may find themselves in a conflict of interest situation.
I have also not heard one bad word from the agricultural community about the minister's chief of staff. No one is pleased when that position is held by someone who doesn't understand anything. I think that people are happy to finally have someone who understands the farming process and has been involved in agriculture.
I would like the parliamentary secretary to take a couple of minutes to explain to us the process he used to determine that there was no conflict of interest. If I remember correctly, he's also a dairy farmer.