I'll call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 15 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on October 24, 2020, the committee is resuming its study on processing capacity.
To ensure the smooth running of the meeting, I would like to share some rules with you.
Members and witnesses may speak in the official language of their choice. Interpretation services are available for this meeting. At the bottom of your screen, you can choose between “floor“, “English“ or “French“. In the latest version of Zoom, you can now speak in the language of your choice without having to select the corresponding language channel.
You will also notice that the platform's "raise hand" function is now more easily accessible on the main toolbar, if you wish to speak or alert the chair. If this option does not work, I suggest that members and witnesses who wish to speak turn on their cameras and physically raise their hands. The clerk of the committee will prepare a list of members and witnesses who wish to speak.
I would ask committee members participating in person to proceed as usual. I do not think I need to provide further explanations, as there is no one in the room.
Before speaking, please wait until I recognize you by name. If you are on the video conference, please click on your microphone icon to unmute yourself. For those in the room, your microphone will be controlled as it normally is by the proceedings and verification officer.
I remind you that all comments by members or witnesses should be addressed through the chair.
When you are not speaking, your mike should be on mute.
Now I would like welcome our witnesses for today for the first panel.
We have from Agri-Food Economic Systems, Dr. Al Mussell, research lead.
Welcome, Dr. Mussell.
From the Agri-Food Innovation Council, we have Monsieur Serge Buy, chief executive officer.
Welcome, Mr. Buy.
With that, we'll start with opening statements.
We'll start with Agri-Food Economic Systems. Dr. Mussell, you have the floor for up to seven and a half minutes.