Evidence of meeting #73 for Agriculture and Agri-Food in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was organic.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:10 p.m.
Executive Director, Canada Organic Trade Association
I think that people are asking for organic or sustainable. Yes, we come from the organic sector, but we're hoping that everybody is looking to more sustainability and transparency in food labelling and food systems. Organic certainly has existed for many years, but I think when it comes to the regulatory side of things, we're seeing that people are on a path and a journey. We're seeing more producers being interested, and more consumers. As the market shifts, we're going to see more and more people becoming more interested in organic food and transparent labelling, and I think our government will persist on that.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Luc Berthold
Thank you very much.
I know you didn't mean to, but you used the speaking time of three people.
It is now Mr. Peschisolido's turn.
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
5:10 p.m.
Executive Director, Canada Organic Trade Association
I will highlight the four pillars that I've seen put forth on the food policy. I think that organic really is an integrated, whole system and we need a food systems approach. I'm pleased to see the initiatives that are going forward because organic fits perfectly into every single one of those envelopes.
5:15 p.m.
Liberal
Joe Peschisolido Liberal Steveston—Richmond East, BC
Tia and Mr. Falck, you mentioned that there isn't a support system for the organic system. What could we, through the national food policy, do to be helpful to you?
5:15 p.m.
Executive Director, Canada Organic Trade Association
I will highlight that this isn't just for organic. We're creating this system for everybody. We've been participating in an ad hoc working group suggesting a governance council for the national food policy because we're not going to get this right the first time. We are going to have to continue to reflect on what the needs are of different sectors, of different people in different communities. We wholly support the idea of having a national food policy council that will help look at the different sectors and the different actors so that we are creating healthy food in conjunction with those who need access to it.
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Luc Berthold
Thank you very much, Ms. Loftsgard.
I'd like to thank the witnesses who joined us today. As you can see, lights have come on around us, indicating that the members are being called to the House for a vote. Thank you very much for being here and providing your input. If there's anything you weren't able to share with the committee members because we ran out of time, I encourage you to contact them. We'll have an opportunity to forward your recommendations to the analysts.
I'd like to remind the committee members that we had two matters to deal with. The first concerned the report, and we agreed to discuss that on Thursday. The other had to do with proposals for committee travel. I would ask you to think about that for Thursday's meeting, when we'll have a chance to discuss it. We received a letter from the liaison committee asking that we provide a response by Friday. If we don't have any proposals on the table Thursday, no committee travel will be possible in the winter.
We'll pick up on that Thursday.
Thank you very much.