Welcome to this meeting of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), we are resuming our study on a food policy for Canada.
Please excuse our tardiness. Things went on a bit longer at the House because of the departure of one of our colleagues.
We have with us Mr. Nick Saul, who is President and Chief Executive Officer of Community Food Centres Canada.
Welcome, Mr. Saul.
We will also, via videoconference, be hearing Mr. David Connell, who is Associate Professor of Ecosystem Science and Management at the University of Northern British Columbia.
Mr. Connell, can you wave at us, to make sure we are connected? We're good. Okay.
We will also hear, via videoconference, Mr. Evan Fraser from the Arrell Food Institute of the University of Guelph, who will be speaking as an individual.
Could you also wave at us, Mr. Fraser? Okay. We're all good.
We'll start with opening statements.
Mr. Saul, as you are here, if you don't mind, please give us an opening statement, for up to seven minutes.