I call this meeting to order. Welcome to meeting number 18 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.
Today’s meeting is taking place in a hybrid format pursuant to the House order of January 25, 2021. Therefore, members are attending in person in the room and remotely using the Zoom application. The proceedings will be made available via the House of Commons website. So you are aware, the webcast will always show the person speaking, rather than the entirety of the committee.
I will take this opportunity to remind all participants of this meeting that screenshots or taking photos of your screen is not permitted.
To ensure that the meeting runs smoothly, I'd like to share certain rules with you.
Members and witnesses can speak in the official language of their choice. At the bottom of the screen, you can choose floor, English or French, without having to select the language channel. You can also use the “raise hand” function. If you want to speak or get the chair's attention and this option isn't working, you can always raise your hand. The clerk will prepare the list of members who want to speak.
Before taking the floor, wait until I recognize your name. Click on the microphone to turn off mute mode.
I want to remind you that all remarks from members and witnesses must be addressed to the chair.
When you aren't speaking, please mute your microphone.
As you may have noticed, today's meeting will consist of one panel of three witnesses, as we had a last-minute rescheduling of witnesses. The meeting will end at five o'clock, or might extend now that we've had a little problem.
I will start by welcoming our witnesses here.
I know Ron Lemaire, from the Canadian Produce Marketing Association, very well. He has been on our committee many times. Welcome, Mr. Lemaire.
We also have MNP LLP Kelleen Tait, partner; and Glenn Fraser, national leader, food and beverage processing practice. Welcome, Ms. Tait and Mr. Fraser.
I would assume that the third witness is not with us yet. When Derek Johnstone, special assistant to the national president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Canada, joins us, we'll make sure that he has his chance to make his opening statement.
Mr. Lemaire, do you want to start with your opening statement, for seven and a half minutes?